YAMAHA World Supersport star Massimo Roccoli has left the Japanese firm for rivals Honda.
Roccoli, who has ridden for Yamaha for the past seven years, will ride for the KL Intermoto Czech Team, alongside Patrick Vostarek from the Czech Republic. The Italian from Rimini has already carried out a first test with a 2008-spec Honda at Cartagena, but it was just a brief introduction to the bike and team seeing as weather conditions were poor. The next test is scheduled for 23-25 January at Portimao.
Roccoli said: "I am pleased to have signed with this team, which last year proved to be a professional outfit. In my first outing with the team I found a friendly and competent staff and this helped to start things off in the best possible way. Now we go testing in Portugal and hopefully we'll find the right conditions to do a good job. I'm feeling pretty determined now and can't wait for the championship to start".
