Ukawa confirmed at Pramac Pons.

It has been announced that, as expected, Tohru Ukawa will be joining Max Biaggi in the Honda Pons team for the 2003 MotoGP World Championship.

The 29-year-old Japanese rider makes the move from the Repsol Honda team, where he partnered Valentino Rossi, to the team managed by former double World Champion Sito Pons.

Ukawa enjoyed a successful season in 2002 and looked like he may have been a championship contender after winning in South Africa. However a succession of heavy mid-season crashes dented his confidence and although he took nine podium finishes he lost second in the championship to Max Biaggi at the final round in Valencia.

His move to the Pons team has been due to the arrival of AMA SBK champion Nicky Hayden alongside Rossi in the Repsol squad.

"After such a good season in 2002 I am now looking to refresh my mind and become the first Japanese MotoGP World Champion," declared Ukawa. "In this sense, joining Sito and his team for the 2003 season is definitely a step in the right direction as it is and a hugely competitive and vastly experienced team. They proved exactly what they can do with the RC211V in 2002 and I am convinced they will continue to get the best out of the Honda V5 in 2003."

Potential trouble could however be brewing: As an official HRC rider, Ukawa is almost certainly going to get the latest spec RCV and development parts - as are Rossi, Kato and Hayden. But Ukawa's new team-mate Biaggi won't...

Whilst not commenting on that, Tohru naturally wanted to thank Honda for keeping him as one of their riders. His signing also strengthens the close relationship between Honda Pons and HRC.

"It is a great honour for me to continue my close relationship with HRC as their official rider and I am grateful for them for giving me the opportunity to ride in this team," stated Ukawa. "I am looking forward to partnering Max Biaggi and I am sure that the competition between us will be positive for the team."

Ukawa will work with chief mechanic Ramon Forcada who helped Alex Barros achieve two GP victories with Pons in 2002.

"We are all delighted to welcome Tohru into the Pramac Pons team," said team owner Sito Pons, almost certainly confirming that West sponsorship of the team has ended. "He is a talented and hugely experienced rider and his knowledge of the RC211V will help us greatly in preparations for the new season.

"With Max and Tohru in the team, we will see both riders battling for victory at every race. Our objective is clearly to win the 2003 World Championship and either rider will have a very good opportunity to do just that," claimed Sito.