Hiroshi Aoyama, possible signing for the 2012 World Superbike Championship

Our colleagues at Motosprint.it report a bombshell I did not expect: they have announced the signing of Hiroshi Aoyama by the Ten Kate team for the World Superbike Championship, so that for the next season 2012 the Japanese rider would leave his Honda Gresini team without a seat.

It seems the team itself has confirmed the signing, and the name of the new teammate for Jonathan Rea, which also makes it clear that Rubén Xaus will lose his current ride for next season, as that seat would go to Aoyama.

The 30-year-old Japanese rider would leave the World Motorcycle Championship and switch to Superbikes, without doubt a real surprise, since it did not seem he would make the move with the switch to 1000cc machines, but apparently the deal is already done and almost signed.

This move also seems to be a bit of strategy, since Aoyama is one of the protégés of the Japanese house, so now he will pay a little more attention to Superbikes, and not only to MotoGP. Good foresight on Ten Kate’s part.

What do you think of this signing? Did you expect it?

And so who will get the #7 in the championship? Dovi? Márquez? Won’t there be a second Gresini bike?

Many questions. I’m sure that once we have the official statement we will know most of the answers.

Via | Motosprint