Current Honda World Superbike star Jonathan Rea has been named on the shortlist of riders for the new Forward NGM MotoGP project which will use an almost-complete factory YZR-M1.
The young Irishman is being courted by the team's principal Giovanni Cuzari to ride the bike which will only be missing fairings and electronics as it will run the spec-Marelli ECU and 24 litres of fuel.
“I’m speaking with Nicky Hayden, Aleix Espargaro, and Jonathan Rea, so with a lot of very good riders. I’m not saying I don’t have good riders. I have very good riders, but of course I have to choose the best solution for me and my supporters and my sponsors that support me in this project," said Cuzari, speaking at Indianapolis.
“We agreed with Yamaha to lease the engine and the frame, the body of the bike, so we lease almost a complete bike from Yamaha. We have to take care of the fairing.
“We will use the ECU of Dorna, with 24-litres [of fuel], and one soft tyre more. These are the rules. Yamaha are already testing the engine with the Dorna ECU, and they are very positive about this.”
Cuzoni also said he was also talking to his current two riders Claudio Corti and Colin Edwards.