Showa in MotoGP return with Gresini

Showa will return to the MotoGP World Championship this season after joining forces with the San Carlo Honda team.

Last year, all MotoGP riders used Ohlins suspension, but Alvaro Bautista will use the Showa system on his RC213V Honda this year, with the team's Moto2 and Moto3 riders also switching to Showa components.

Team owner Fausto Gresini said: "To link up again with an important technical partner like Showa is a source of pride and great satisfaction for Team San Carlo Honda Gresini.

"We have enjoyed significant success together in the past and we hope to recreate that winning feeling again with this new deal. The technical support of a partner such as Showa is fundamental in MotoGP but especially so with additional projects such as CRT, Moto 2 and Moto3.

"We are sure that we can create a positive technical synergy with Showa that translates into top results on the track."

Yoichi Hojo, President of the Showa Corporation, added: "We have competed in MotoGP together with San Carlo Honda Gresini in the past, so it is heartening to be able to aim for the ultimate finish together with our trusted friends.

"Showa Suspension will be used in the all of the race classes so in addition to our expectations, we are also feeling a keen sense of responsibility.

"With Showa's latest technologies being used in all the classes, we will continue to strive in the hopes of contributing to a championship win for the team."