Japanese pilot, Shinichi Itoh, will race for Pramac-D’antin this weekend at the Japanese Grand Prix aboard the Ducati GP7 formerly ridden by Alex Hofmann, who was let go from the Team.

The Team Management of the Italo-Spanish group has decided that the former official Bridgestone test rider would make an excellent addition to the Team for this race.

Shinichi Itoh has a wealth of experience riding a wide variety of racing motorcycles, and began competing in 500GPs in 1988. Later years saw him win the Japanese Superbike title, and once again rejoin the GP paddock, where he scored a pole position in the German GP of 1993. This year Itoh continued to push the development of Bridgestone tires, which have seen a massive step forward in the MotoGP Championship this season. He also raced the prestigious 8-Hours of Suzuka this year, where he demonstrated he is still a fast and competitive rider, well suited to the rigors of motorcycle combat.