KOYAMA RETURNS TO MOTO2 WITH DEVELOPMENTAL CHASSIS

Tomoyoshi Koyama is set to make a temporary return to the MotoGP stage, specifically in the Moto2 class, bringing with him a developmental new chassis that is designed by Japanese engineering firm NTS.

Koyama will be taking up the spot left by injured Tetsuta Nagashima of team Teluru JiR Webike. But instead of using the TSR, Koyama’s 3-round deal with team JiR – which encompasses the Motegi, Philip Island and Sepang rounds respectively – will see the 31-year-old rider take to the track astride the new NH6 chassis. The objective of the ride would be to firstly debut the new chassis while at the same time gauge its performance against that of the other established makes.

With Koyama lending on-track expertise, the new chassis has already been used in the All Japan Road Race Championship where Koyama is currently 9th overall in the JGP-2 standings.

Koyama is no stranger to the competitive world of the MotoGP. He raced in the 125cc class of the World Championships from 2003 to 2010, and then spent a further two years racing in the Moto2 class (2011 to 2012). He has been absent from the MotoGP paddock in 2013 and 2014. Over the past two seasons, Koyama teamed up with Japanese team NTS T-Pro Innovation where he raced in the SuperSports 600cc class of the PETRONAS Asia Road Racing Championship.