FAUSTO GRESINI AND ALEX DE ANGELIS TOGETHER FOR 2008 Following today’s Grand Prix of Portugal and just hours before Team Honda Gresini head east to Japan for the fifteenth round of the season, Fausto Gresini is delighted to announce the signature of Alex De Angelis, 23, for next season. Following in the tradition of Honda Gresini, the 2008 project will feature a young ‘Italian’ rider, even though this one in particular has a San Marino passport. FAUSTO GRESINI: ” I am happy to announce that Alex De Angelis will be one of our two riders next year in MotoGP. With Alex, who is from San Marino but has come through the Italian motorcycling ranks, our ‘tricolore’ project continues and is in line with our tradition of opening the door to success to young Italian riders and making sure they have the right package to demonstrate their potential at the highest level. Over the years we have already achieved success with Sete Gibernau, Marco Melandri and Toni Elias in the premier class. We would like to welcome Alex who will make his MotoGP debut with us on a Honda with Bridgestone tyres. We have signed a one year agreement and we have the option of another year on Alex if he can end the 2008 season with certain results. Our intention is for this to be a long term project. We have a lot of belief in Alex’s potential, he is only 23 years old and I hope he can be our team’s next winner.” ALEX DE ANGELIS: “I am really happy. I am making the step up to MotoGP with a lot of enthusiasm but safe in the knowledge that I have made the right decision at the right time. I have a lot of faith in Fausto Gresini’s team. Over the years they have proved that they are a top team and have nothing to envy of a factory team. Every rider who has ridden with them has been strong and achieved brilliant results. I feel I have all the technical and moral support I need. To race in MotoGP is a dream come true. It reminds me of when I stepped up from the European Championships to the 125cc World Championship – that was the first of my dreams to become a reality and to move up to the premier class is the second one. I think the moment has arrived and the experience I have gained over four seasons in the 250 class will be a solid base for me to take this next step from. ” ALEX DE ANGELIS – RIDER PROFILE Born in Rimini, 26 February 1984 Age: 23 years old Residence: San Marino Weight: 57 kg Status: single