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MILAN - Japan's Shinya Nakano will ride for Gresini Honda in next season's MotoGP, the Italian/Japanese team said.
The deal with Nakano, who switches from Konica Minolta Honda, halts speculation about a return for Max Biaggi and spells the end for Spaniard Toni Elias at Gresini.
Elias has signed with Luis d'Antin's satellite Ducati team for next year, MotoGP's official website (www.motogp.com) said.
Honda's Marco Melandri had already decided to join Ducati for 2008 leaving the 30-year-old Nakano riding alongside 23-year-old MotoGP rookie Alex De Angelis next year.
"I will be pleased to learn something from the team. I believe we can have a good season together," Nakano told the team website (www.gresiniracing.com).
"I also look forward to working with Bridgestone tyres as well. I have good memories with them," he added.
Australian Casey Stoner on a Ducati has already won this year's MotoGP title. The final race is in Valencia on Nov. 4
- REUTERS
