Yuki Takahashi tipped to succeed in MotoGP

MotoGP newcomer Yuki Takahashi has been given a vote of confidence by former team-mate and factory Honda star Andrea Dovizioso.

Takahashi has been promoted to the JIR Scot Honda MotoGP seat with Italian Dovizioso replacing Nicky Hayden in the Repsol Honda squad.

And Dovizioso has backed the Japanese rider to make an impression in his rookie campaign in 2009.

“He was my team-mate in 250s and I think he could do well in MotoGP. In recent years he has had injuries that have influenced his results, but he has come back so strong.

His approach to it will be interesting because in MotoGP at first it seems easy but then it becomes very challenging.”