Team Angaia sign Federico Sandi

Italian youngster Federico Sandi looks set to contest his first ever 125cc World Championship in 2005 after signing an agreement with Team Angaia Racing. The 15-year-old has been lined up as a team-mate to Toshihisa Kuzuhara, although both riders are waiting for clearance from the official MotoGP selection commitee.

Sandi, who plans to wear the number 10 plate, made his name in the 125cc Spanish Championship in 2004, finishing on the podium in the penultimate round against stiff Grand Prix opposition at Valencia and ending the series sixth overall.

"I am very satisfied with the deal," said Sandi, who will ride a kitted Honda. "Team Angaia is a really good structure which will allow me to gather experience without too much pressure.

"This has to be a learning year for me and I will be giving my best to finish consistently in the top fifteen in the first half of the season so that I can improve and push for a podium towards the end.

"I'm sure it will be very difficult for me at the start, having little knowledge of the tracks and my rivals, and having very little time to learn the circuits on a Friday."

Team Angaia Racing plan to begin testing on the 9th and 10th February at Valencia ahead of the official tests.