MotoGP: Aoyama Named as Honda's Test Rider for 2015

Hiroshi Aoyama is to become a test rider for Honda in 2015. The future of the Japanese rider was uncertain after Eugene Laverty was signed to race with the Aspar team for next year, and Aoyama’s options in the MotoGP paddock were limited.

As a rider who has spent almost his entire career with Honda, including winning the last ever 250cc championship in 2009, Aoyama was the logical choice to take on a role as test rider.

Aoyama’s work will commence on Friday at Valencia. Honda have brought the RC213V-RS to Valencia, the bike which is to replace the RCV1000R Open class Honda in 2015.

Aoyama is to race the new bike, which features pneumatic valves and a more powerful engine, though it still does not have the seamless gearbox of the factory bikes. Aoyama’s performance on the bike this weekend should give an idea of how much more competitive the Open class honda will be next year.

Aoyama will most likely not be Honda’s only test rider. HRC are expected to reach an agreement with Casey Stoner to act as test rider for the factory. Aoyama is likely to take the place of one of Honda’s other Japanese riders, Shinichi Itoh or Kousuke Akiyoshi.

This article was originally published on MotoMatters, and is republished here on Asphalt & Rubber with permission by the author.