Nobby swaps LCR for TSR in 2001.

Japan's Noboru Ueda joins the TSR-Honda team next season, ending a fruitful relationship with Italian Lucio Cecchinello.

Ueda, twice a runner-up in the GP125 championship, failed to score a race win in the 2000 season, but notched up four podium finishes in a year dominated by the Aprilia and Derbi teams. Unusually for Honda, however, the likeable Japanese found himself up and down the from race to race, and was unable to regularly put himself into the lead battle with the likes of Roberto Locatelli and Youichi Ui.

Ueda was approached by TSR - formerly Technical Sports Racing - at the final event of the season and, although the deal has yet to be finalised, is likely to switch camps for 2001.

"I was offered my ride with TSR only on race day at Phillip Island," the veteran rider explained, "As of today, I have not signed on the dotted line, but have agreed [to join them]. I just need to tie up some loose ends.

"Ten years ago, during the Japanese GP, I know TSR had a bike called AC21, where the 21 meant the aimed-for lap time at Suzuka was 2mins 21secs. I have heard that the code name of [next year's] new bike is TSR-Honda AC10M - if this is the case, I will have to run 2mins 10secs! Of course, this is a dream but, realistically, I can do 2min 13s with this bike, and will even go for 2min 12s. I can't wait to ride the bike."

"We are delighted to have the opportunity to team up with Nobby for next season," commented TSR team boss Masakazu Fujii, "During the last ten years, he has gained a lot of experience, and is still a gritty rider.

"We have also achieved a lot technically in our ten years in grands prix so, if we have Nobby on board next year, we will have nothing to be afraid of. The bike we will be racing is AC10M, but I would rather call it the 'Ueda Special'. This bike will be really special, and we will give our best in aiming for the title."