Kawasaki eyeing three-bike plan for 2009

Kawasaki will run three bikes in the 2009 MotoGP world championship, but only with the help of a multi-million pound cash injection.

The Japanese factory is ready to expand its current two-rider factory line-up and negotiations began with Spaniard Jorge Martinez earlier this month.

Meetings with a potential sponsor recently took place at the team’s Holland headquarters and Kawasaki team boss Michael Bartholemy said: “We can handle a third bike because our testing crew is very experienced and we have the people to make it.

“Material wise we can do it and we can make it for three bikes. But the financial aspect is always the same. We need external investment.”

Kawasaki wants to run three bikes to help speed up development, and talks with Martinez could help them land 250GP title contender Alvaro Bautista.

Martinez is locked in talks with Ducati and Yamaha too.