Spanish rider Alvaro Bautista has been selected as the replacement for the late Marco Simoncelli on MotoGP's Team Gresini.
Simoncelli was killed aged 24 during the Malaysian MotoGP on October 23 after coming off his bike and being hit by two riders behind him.
Bautista, 26, has so far failed
to repeat the success he enjoyed in the 125cc and 250cc categories after being crowned 125cc world champion in 2006 and with 16 GP victories to his name.
The Suzuki rider has failed to gain a podium finish in 16 MotoGPs over two injury-hampered seasons.
Despite this, new team manager Fausto Gresini believes Bautista will fulfill his potential.
