Criville re-signs with Honda.
Reigning world champion Alex Criville is to stay with the Repsol Honda team next year, despite rumours that the two may part company.
The Spaniard, who became his country's first GP500 title winner on the back of six race victories last season, has only won once in 2000, leading to speculation that one or the other may decide to end the hitherto successful relationship. Criville has admitted that his motivation has not been as great this season as it has in the past, and the team last week gave him an ultimatum to improve.
Reigning world champion Alex Criville is to stay with the Repsol Honda team next year, despite rumours that the two may part company.
The Spaniard, who became his country's first GP500 title winner on the back of six race victories last season, has only won once in 2000, leading to speculation that one or the other may decide to end the hitherto successful relationship. Criville has admitted that his motivation has not been as great this season as it has in the past, and the team last week gave him an ultimatum to improve.
The works team has not performed to expectation this year, coming off the back of successive championship seasons with Criville and multiple title winner Mick Doohan. Only Criville has managed to stand on the top step of the podium in 2000, with team-mates Set Gibernau and Tadayuki Okada struggling to match the results of past years.
To make matters worse for the Repsol-backed outfit, semi-works bikes run by Sito Pons and, ironically, Doohan, have all won this season in the hands of Alex Barros, Loris Capirossi and series rookie Valentino Rossi.
