MotoGP: Alvaro Bautista abandona Suzuki e integra a Honda Gresini

Following this morning's announcement that Alvaro Bautista had left
Suzuki, the Spaniard has now been confirmed as a Honda Gresini MotoGP rider for 2012.

Bautista,
a best of fifth during two injured interrupted seasons at Suzuki, will
ride a 1000cc RC213V for the satellite Honda team.

However, it is not clear if it will be the full factory bike that had been assigned to Marco Simoncelli.

Bautista, a former 125cc world champion who battled with Simoncelli for the 250cc title, is making his Honda MotoGP debut on Hiroshi Aoyama's 800cc bike during Wednesday's second and final day of testing at Valencia.

"I
am particularly satisfied that Alvaro Bautista will ride a Honda RC213V
in the colours of Team San Carlo Honda Gresini next year," said team
principal Fausto Gresini. "He is a very fast rider and I also hold him
in high regard for his personality and pleasant nature. I am sure that
he will integrate swiftly into our group and that we will enjoy some
pleasant experiences together in the future."

There is no news on
whether Gresini will be able to continue as a two-bike team, but
Italian Moto2 race winner Andrea Iannone has also been linked to the
Gresini team.