Motorsport: Bautista to replace Simoncelli

Spanish rider Alvaro Bautista has been selected as the replacement for the late Marco Simoncelli on MotoGP's Team Gresini.

Simoncelli was killed aged 24 during the Malaysian MotoGP on October 23 after coming off his bike and being hit by two riders behind him.

Bautista, 26, has so far failed to repeat the success he enjoyed in the 125cc and 250cc categories after being crowned 125cc world champion in 2006 and with 16 GP victories to his name.

The Suzuki rider has failed to gain a podium finish in 16 MotoGPs over two injury-hampered seasons.

Despite this, new team manager Fausto Gresini believes Bautista will fulfill his potential.

"He is a very fast rider and I also hold him in high regard for his personality," Gresini told gresiniracing.com.

"I am sure that he will integrate swiftly into our group and that we will enjoy some pleasant experiences together in the future."

Bautista's season ended disappointingly in a crash at the first corner of the Valancia MotoGP that took out three other riders.

- AAP