Alto Evolution Honda have confirmed they will reduce their World Superbike efforts to a single bike in 2009 after team owners Alto Fin scaled their efforts down to title sponsorship.

The Italian-based team has run under the Alto Evolution banner for two seasons but the decision has been taken by the Alto Group to reduce their involvement. The team's general manager Marco Nicotari now owns the outfit himself.

Although the team will continue their partnership with Honda, the new structure means they will run just one bike in 2009 for an as yet unnamed rider. They have also confirmed that they will scale down for the remainder of this year too, with Shuhei Aoyama their only participant in the final two rounds.

“The reason for changing the ownership of the company was due to bringing to the World Superbike paddock more expertise in the racing business, leaving to Alto Fin the unique role of sponsorship,” said a press statement.

“The new Team will be Honda and continue the work started by Alto Evolution, keeping the same base and putting into practice all the development achieved during this year. Many problems and challenges were faced and solved, what became an important data for 2009. It certainly means that we intend to keep the technical package, looking forward to improving and growing. That is why we have chosen to participate in the next season with only one rider.

“The idea is focusing all our efforts on this project, offering a better structure to the entire staff. We have talked to three strong and important riders during the past weeks and the official name will be announced by the end of November. The project plans a two-rider team only for 2010.”