Gresini Racing to run Honda-engined FTR to CRT rules in 2012

The Italian squad, which signed Alvaro Bautista to race a fully-blown Honda RC213V MotoGP machine, will now also run an FTR chassis, powered by a Honda CBR 1000 engine.

"It is a source of great satisfaction that we have reached an agreement with FTR Moto to take part in the new MotoGP series, CRT," said team boss Fausto Gresini, who is yet to announce who will ride the British-built bike.

"Our willingness to take part was always based on the condition that we had the right technical partner and with FTR Moto and a Honda CBR 1000R engine we believe we can build a competitive bike for this new category.

"It is a new adventure that appeals to our racing spirit and it could prove to be the future of MotoGP. We will work our hardest and I am sure we will have great results together."

After over a decade in MotoGP as a supplier to various teams and manufacturers, FTR entered grand prix racing as a chassis manufacturer in its own right in 2010 in Moto2 and ended the year with a win at Valencia courtesy of Karel Abraham.

Company CEO Steve Bones said: "We are absolutely delighted to start up a partnership with Gresini and to join them on a new adventure in MotoGP.

"Gresini have shown over the years that they are technically competent, as their numerous successes prove, and we are sure that will continue alongside FTR on this new adventure.

"The growing interest in the new MotoGP CRT category is exciting for all of us and we can't wait to get on track as soon as possible to start developing the bike and breaking new technical boundaries."