Dovizioso to join Repsol Honda

From Repsol Honda

Former 125 World Champion Andrea Dovizioso is to join the Repsol Honda Team for the 2009 MotoGP World Championship. The Italian will join Spaniard Dani Pedrosa in Honda’s official HRC squad, riding full-factory RC212V machinery.

“I am very pleased to announce that Andrea Dovizioso will join the Repsol Honda factory team for the 2009 MotoGP season, racing alongside Dani Pedrosa,” said HRC president Masumi Hamane. “Andrea has raced Honda machines throughout his career and with great success in all categories of grand prix racing. He has a 125cc world title to his credit and several very successful seasons in the 250cc class. We believe Andrea is now ready to accept the challenge that awaits him in 2009.”

Dovizioso is delighted with the news, which comes in the closing stages of his rookie MotoGP season.

“I have raced Honda machines in grands prix for seven years because I have always wanted to be in the official HRC team,” he said. “Now I have the opportunity to join Repsol Honda, so this is a dream come true for me, I am very happy.

"This year I have ridden my rookie season for the JiR Scot satellite Honda team. So far it has been a good year, I am fifth in the championship, but most importantly I have already gained a lot of experience on a MotoGP bike. I think that riding one season with a satellite team before joining the HRC team is the best way forward."

Dovizioso is riding a perfect curve of a race career. In 2001 he won the 125 European Championship, then moved to GPs the following year, winning the 2004 125 World Championship aboard an RS125. He graduated to 250s in 2005, twice taking runner-up spot aboard an RS250RW before joining MotoGP this year.

Dovizioso has impressed throughout the 2008 season, his intelligent approach to racing paying dividends with some fine rides, including three top four finishes (at Losail, Catalunya and Laguna Seca) aboard his JiR Scot Team RC212V.