Nakano set for Honda move

Honda have told the 28-year-old Japanese that the ride, which is currently occupied by his countryman Makoto Tamada, is his if he wants it next season, and are waiting on an answer.

Nakano, who is disappointed to have not yet ridden next year's Kawasaki, said: “I have a chance with Honda, all I have to say is yes.

“The delay with the new Kawsaki has made me look at my future and after three years with Kawasaki, I expected more, I have told them it would be difficult to stay.”

Nakano lies 12th in the riders' championship after taking the best finish of his career – second place – in the Dutch TT at Assen. A maiden win looked on the cards in Australia before rain intervened.

And Kawsaki team boss Harald Eckl believes that Nakano's departure is inevitable, despite putting a 1.1 million Euro (£750,000) contract on the table.

Eckl said: In my mind, he is already gone. I have begged him, but he wants to see the new bike and we don't have it yet.”

The move comes as a blow to 250cc front-runner Hiroshi Aoyama, who won in Japan last weekend and was thought to be in line for the ride if Tamada was dropped.

Should Nakano move on, as is expected, Kawasaki have a number of riders on their wish-list to partner Frenchman Randy de Puniet next year.

Among the candidates are Spaniards Carlos Checa and Sete Gibernau, as well as Tamada.