Official: Nakano signs for Konica Minolta Honda.

As expected, former Kawasaki rider Shinya Nakano has signed to replace Makoto Tamada at the Konica Minolta Honda team for the 2007 MotoGP season.

Nakano has been Kawasaki's lead rider for the past three seasons, claiming two podiums, including a second place at this year's Dutch TT, but has left Team Green in the hope of having more competitive machinery for the first era of 800cc racing. The Japanese will have his first test on the new V4 Honda at Jerez from November 28-30th.

"I have been at Kawasaki for three years. I'm satisfied with what I did with their team, for the job done and for the improvements we made, but I felt the need to find new motivation somewhere else," explained Shinya. "The offer made by the Konica Minolta Honda Team arrived at just the right moment, even though I have to say that it was a difficult decision to make.

"I'm excited about working with Honda, the number one bike manufacturer. It will be a pleasure to work with JiR, the new team. I will work hard to get on the podium as many times as possible and plan the season with the target being to fight for the title," declared the former 250cc championship runner-up. "Up until now, I have not tested the 800cc bikes, but I expect good handling characteristics and a higher cornering speed. If it will be like this, I think that these characteristics will fit in well with my riding style.

"I can't wait to meet and work with the new technical staff, they are all specialists with a huge amount of experience. I'll try to learn from them, and combining their knowledge with mine, obtained throughout my eight-year presence in MotoGP, I think we can get good results. I'm happy to have a Japanese sponsor like Konica Minolta supporting me, it was my dream and thanks to them it came true," he concluded.

Konica Minolta Honda has taken just one podium finish during the last two seasons with Tamada and Michelin tyres, but hopes that a change of rider - and the new 800cc machinery - will improve its fortunes.

"I'm really satisfied with Shinya's decision to accept our proposal," said team general director Gianluca Montiron. "For us he represents the best choice for the continuation of our MotoGP project, which we have developed in conjunction with a Japanese rider since our debut. We once again wish to thank Makoto Tamada for the remarkable job he did when racing for us but, it was the time to find new motivations for both parties. The entire staff are looking forward to starting work with Shinya and the new bike to immediately organise next season's working plan. We will be ready to give our utmost support to our new rider: his talent, his determination and his experience will be fundamental in reaching the results we all strive for. In comparison with this year, Konica Minolta's technical structure will not be considerably modified in 2007."

Meanwhile, the team's 2007 tyre supplier is still to be confirmed. With Nakano a Bridgestone rider for the past three seasons, and Montiron having guided Tamada to two victories on the Japanese rubber in 2004, it was expected that the team would try to switch back to Bridgestone for next season.

However, the Gresini Honda team has already announced that it is leaving Michelin for Bridgestone, and the d'Antin Ducati team is also expected to run Bridgestone rubber in 2007, so it remains to be seen how many new teams Bridgestone is prepared to supply, alongside its existing line-up of Ducati Marlboro, Rizla Suzuki and Kawasaki.

Tamada will ride for Tech 3 Yamaha in 2007, with Nakano's factory ZX-RR seat going to test rider Olivier Jacque.