Italy's Andrea Dovizioso will join Honda's official MotoGP team HRC next year filling the spot left open by Nicky Hayden, who will move to Ducati at the end of the season, Honda announced on Friday.
A rookie this year in MotoGP with Honda's satellite JiP Team Scot, the 22-year old Italian will join his former rival in the 250cc class Dani Pedrosa of Spain in the Repsol Honda factory team.
HRC chief Masumi Hamane announced his arrival at a press conference here ahead of Sunday's Japanese Grand Prix and recalled that ''in Andrea's Grand Prix motorcycling career he has always ridden a Honda. We are convinced that he is ready for the challenge which awaits him in 2009''.
The 2004 125cc champ made his debut in MotoGP after three years in the 250cc category where he finished in the top three each year.
''For me this is a dream come true. I've raced with Honda these past seven years because this is where I wanted to arrive. I can't wait for this year to end so I can begin my new job. I'm sure we're going to have a great season,'' Dovizioso said.
In regard to his past rivalry with Pedrosa, the Italian said: ''I prefer to get along with everyone but if Pedrosa doesn't want to have anything to do with me, it's not going to be a problem''.
Hamane said both riders next year ''will get the same treatment from the factory at the start. Then if one rider pulls ahead in the standings he will get special attention''.
Dovizioso has only been given a one-year contract but he said that ''this was what my manager and I had suggested''.
The Italian's best finish this season was a fourth place and his best spot on the grid was also a fourth position.
