San Carlo Honda MotoGP team boss Fausto Gresini has confirmed that Hiro Aoyama, Michele Pirro and Yuki Takahashi will all race at this weekend's Valencia meeting in the memory of Marco Simoncelli.

The flamboyant Italian, who was the team's lead MotoGP rider, was killed in a crash on the second lap of the Sepang race and team boss Gresini has said that racing in Spain is what Simoncelli would have wanted them to do, instead of sitting on the sidelines.

“The decision to participate was not an easy one, but we have made this choice as it is what Marco would have wanted. Going out on track at Valencia is definitely the best way to honour him by doing what he most loved to do: Ride and experience the world of MotoGP," said Gresini.

“This is why I believe that the best show of affection that we can make to Marco is by lining up our teams and riders for this race. ‘Super Sic’ will be present in the hearts of Hiroshi Aoyama, Michele Pirro and Yuki Takahashi, and I am sure that they will give him a most fitting tribute with their performances on Sunday.”