Reigning 250GP World Champion Marco Simoncelli will ride for the San Carlo Gresini team in MotoGP next season, confirming weeks of speculation the Italian would move into the blue riband class.
Rumours have been circulating for a month now that the big-haired mate of Valentino Rossi would step up a class and be on a Honda, but it wasn't known with which satellite team.
“Marco has that determination and character that we want from a rider as part of his DNA and we are sure we can look ahead to exciting times with him. Marco has shown over the past couple of years that he has the ability to be a major force in the premier class, as well as being a great communicator," said team boss Fausto Gresini.
"We have established a good feeling with him already and that facilitated negotiations over a contract that we have signed for 2010. Also, Honda rates Simoncelli highly and believes he is a rider with great potential for the future, so Honda is very pleased that we are welcoming Simoncelli next season."
