JiR keeps Konica, Honda backing - rider undecided.

JiR (Japan Italy Racing) will keep the backing of title sponsor Konica Minolta, and Honda, for the 2007 MotoGP season - but claims that no decision has yet been taken about who will ride for the team.

The team was formed in 2005 around double 2004 race-winner Makoto Tamada - but the switch from Bridgestone to Michelin tyres virtually extinguished the Japanese rider's threat and he has only taken one podium finish in the two seasons since.

With just one round to go in the 2006 season, Tamada is just 13th in the championship - and the lowest placed of the seven RCV powered riders - making him almost certain to be replaced by countryman Shinya Nakano, whose departure from Kawasaki has already been confirmed. Should Nakano sign, the team is expected to switch back to Bridgestone tyres - but the Gresini Honda team is also rumoured to be considering switching to Japanese rubber.

"I'm extremely satisfied with the gratitude and renewed confidence Konica Minolta and Honda have demonstrated towards the team I manage," said general director Gianluca Montiron. "Now, we will enter the second phase of our working programme and I can affirm that one of the targets is to obtain the (strong) sporting results that are usually associated with us: most of our efforts will be focused on this end.

"The team (has) confirmed its title sponsor for the 2007 season but no decision has yet been taken regarding the rider. It will be taken only after the last race of the championship," claimed Montiron.

The final round of the 2006 MotoGP season takes place at Valencia on October 29.