Elias returns to Gresini Honda

From motogp.com

With an official announcement made public on Thursday at Phillip Island Fausto Gresini confirmed his 2009 rider line-up - with Toni Elias returning to the satellite Honda team, as expected, to run alongside Alex de Angelis next season.

Furthermore, Gresini´s solid relationship with HRC, dating back 12 years, has earned the San Carlo Honda Gresini team the continued use of a factory spec Honda RC212V which will be made available to Elias, as he returns to the team he rode for in 2006 and 2007.

Gresini Racing has also announced the confirmation of San Carlo Gruppo Alimentare as the title sponsor of the team.

Team manager and former 125cc World Champion Gresini commented, "I'm happy to announce the San Carlo Honda Gresini sports programme for the 2009 season. The possibility to line up a Honda factory spec machine represents for us a sign of esteem from HRC and it will offer to us all the potential to make a great season.

"We welcome back Toni Elias, who will be Alex De Angelis' new teammate in 2009, recently confirmed to stay with us after his debut season in MotoGP. I would like to thank San Carlo, who will continue to collaborate with us as title sponsor of the team. We are proud of the relationship that has been created with the Italian company and also with the other partners of the team."

With a word for the departing rider who will be replaced by Elias, Gresini added, "Finally, we acknowledge Shinya Nakano who contributed to another chapter of the Gresini Racing story."

Elias himself told motogp.com, "I am really happy because Honda and Fausto believe in me and have given me this chance. It is a good opportunity and I really want to get some good results next year."