HRC president explains future strategy.

HRC president Suguru Kanazawa has released the following statement regarding the future MotoGP strategy of the Honda Racing Corporation which, for 2006, looks set to drop several established MotoGP stars and instead field no less than five riders - Nicky Hayden (24), Marco Melandri (23), Toni Elias (22), Dani Pedrosa (20) and Casey Stoner (20) - under the age of 25...

"Following the announcement of the 2006 Repsol Honda team (see seperate story), I would like to introduce the future policy and intended strategy of the Honda Racing Corporation.

"More than a quarter of a century has passed since the comeback of Honda to the Grand Prix Road Racing World Championship (WGP) in 1979 with the innovative four-stroke, oval-pistoned NR500 racing machine. Since then, our challenge never ceased and we won many championships with the two-stroke NSR500 then with the four-stroke RC211V in the MotoGP class, which started in 2002.

"Now we are preparing for the new challenge of the immediate future and also for the second generation of the MotoGP class, which will start from 2007. Our new challenge is to organise new-generation teams with young riders, and also to win back the championship.

"In order to implement our renewed challenge, we will try to make the most of the wisdom, experience and know-how of those who supported and represented us in the past - throughout the period of WGP/MotoGP.

"Heading into a new era, Honda will start the new challenge with the young generation from 2006. I sincerely hope to receive your continued support in the future."

Suguru Kanazawa
President
Honda Racing Corporation