Capannori, Italy Pro Ride World Superbike officially announces for immediate release that the team has signed two-time MotoGP winner, Makoto Tamada as rider for 2010. Pro Ride Team Director, Eng. Marco Nicotari is pleased to announce today that the Team has signed with Makoto Tamada as their rider for the 2010 FIM World Superbike Championship. Nicotari also announced that the team will be competing this season with Honda machinery. Tamada, well known for his two-time win in the MotoGP, will be back with Honda after parting the Japanese manufacturer for 3 years. Tamada has raced on a Honda since his novice years in Japan, and has brought Honda many wins. His three wins in the World Superbike was when Tamada raced with HRC factory team in Japan. Pro Ride and Nicotari have lots of experience on the Honda CBR1000RR, and with Tamada’s ability and Nicotari’s expertise, the team will aim for the top Honda team, as well as the Championship. Comments Makoto Tamada, Rider “As much as I am excited to work with Marco (Nicotari), I am thrilled to be back with Honda. I have always been a “Honda” rider. I have not performed at my best potential since I left Honda. This year, I plan to be competitive, and show everyone that Makoto Tamada is still very competitive. I thank Honda and Marco for believing in me and I plan to repay them with a couple of wins this year.” Eng. Marco Nicotari, Team owner and technical director, Pro Ride Honda World SBK “The entire Team is thrilled about this agreement. I have been observing Makoto for a long time and I really believe that he has the spirit we are looking for. He knows Honda machines and he knows how to be fast. I truly believe that with us he can be back on top. “GAMBATTE KUDASAI, MAKOTO-SAN!”. Keita Muramatsu, General Manager, Motor Sports Division, Honda Motor Co., Ltd. “First of all, I would like to congratulate Tamada that he would continue in the World Superbike Championship. The current economic crisis that we are all experiencing has also affected Motorsports Teams. Even in this hard time, I have heard that the team that Tamada signed is a new team to World Superbike Championship. It has been four years since Tamada has been on a Honda, and I wish that with his experience in MotoGP, the Japanese National Championship, and the World Superbike Championship, he will be able to bring the new team to a competitive level. I expect him to do well. Being a successful Japanese rider in the World Championship, that Japanese riders in Japan aiming for the World will aim at. “ Makoto Tamada, Career Profile Race Profile 1994 Kyushu Road Race Championship GP250 & SP250: Champion 1995 All Japan Road Race Championship GP250: Ranking 11th 1996 All Japan Road Race Championship GP250: Ranking 14th 1997 All Japan Road Race Championship GP250: Ranking 6th 1998 All Japan Road Race Championship GP250: Ranking 4th Suzuka 8 Hours Endurance Race: 10th 1999 All Japan Road Race Championship Superbike: Ranking 5th Suzuka 8 Hours Endurance Race: 8th 2000 All Japan Road Race Championship Superbike: Ranking 3rd Suzuka 8 Hours Endurance Race: 43rd 2001 Superbike World Championship SUGO Round: Champion All Japan Road Race Championship Superbike: Ranking 2nd Suzuka 8 Hours Endurance Race: 4th 2002 Superbike World Championship SUGO Round: Champion All Japan Road Race Championship Superbike: Ranking 4th Suzuka 8 Hours Endurance Race: 2nd 2003 Road Race World Championship MotoGP Class: 11th (Mugello GP 4th, Rio GP 3rd) 2004 Road Race World Championship MotoGP Class: 6th (2 Wins at Rio GP and Japan GP; Portugal GP 2nd) 2005 Road Race World Championship MotoGP Class from Konica Minolta Honda Road Race World Championship MotoGP Class: 11th(Japan GP 3rd) 2006 Road Race World Championship MotoGP Class: 12th Suzuka 8 Hours Endurance Race: 5th 2007 Road Race World Championship MotoGP Class: 18th 2008 Superbike World Championship: 20th 2009 Superbike World Championship: 27th