Three-time British Superbike Champion Ryuichi Kiyonari is apparently in the frame to replace Michele Pirro in the Gresini Honda MotoGP CRT team for 2013.

The Japanese star, who has been riding in the Asia Championship this season, looks set to help prepare Honda's 'production' CRT racers which will be available to buy. Kiyonari last rode in MotoGP when he joined the Gresini team following the death of Daijiro Kato in 2003.

Pirro, meanwhile, has taken a job in Ducati's test team next year.