Gresini Racing has announced that it will compete in the Valencia Grand Prix as a tribute to its late rider Marco Simoncelli.
Fausto Gresini had initially indicated that his team would withdraw from the season finale in the wake of Simoncelli's death in a crash on lap two of the Malaysian GP. The team subsequently decided it would be present at Valencia at least, and has now confirmed that it will race.
Gresini said he had decided to enter his bikes as he was sure Simoncelli would have preferred to see them racing in the circumstances.
"We have made this choice as it is what Marco would have wanted," said Gresini. "Going out on track is definitely the best way to honor him by doing what he most loved to do: ride and experience the world of MotoGP."
Hiroshi Aoyama will be Gresini's sole MotoGP rider this weekend, with Yuki Takahashi and Michele Pirro running for its Moto2 arm as usual. It will also be Aoyama's final MotoGP appearance before he switches to World Superbikes for 2012 with Ten Kate Honda.