Image: Jeff Crow.

Takeshi Katsuya has confirmed today with MotoOnline.com.au that he has taken a development role with Honda Racing Corporation for 2016.

Third overall in the 2015 Australian MX Nationals MX2 championship, Katsuya originally planned to return in 2016 with Kawasaki in the 250 category before an offer from HRC was placed on the table that was too good to pass up.

“I had a deal lined up with Kawasaki in Australia for 2016, but the Honda deal worked out better for me overall,” Katsuya said. “I’ve taken a test rider, coach and advisor role with the HRC factory team in Japan for 2016.

“I’ll be doing the production side of things as well, so endurance testing and things like that. I’ll also have the chance to race the Japanese national motocross championships if one of the team riders get injured, so that’s a pretty cool deal for me.”

The 36-year-old feels his new role with HRC, formerly occupied by Ben Townley before he made his return to the MXGP circuit, is the best option for his own future and has remained on good terms with Kawasaki following the decision.

“I’m taking over Townley’s role this year, once they knew he was leaving to return to MXGP they had that spot vacant and that’s where I’ve ended up,” he said. “When you get to this age you have to think what’s the best for you in the future. I’m still on good terms with Kawasaki which is good, I never want to leave a manufacturer on bad terms.”

The four-time Japanese MX2 champion’s experience in his new role has been a positive one to date, working alongside familiar faces at HRC is also an added bonus.

“I rode for the factory Honda team in 2003 and 2004 and my team manager back then is now the team manager for HRC now, so that’s pretty cool, I get to work with the people I know,” he explained. “Everything is pretty good so far, for me to get an opportunity like this is something I really appreciate.”

Contracted to attend all nine rounds of the Japanese national championship plus any scheduled testing sessions during the year, his schedule will be jam-packed, but Katsuya isn’t totally ruling out the chance of attending select MX Nationals rounds in 2016.

“I’ll be pretty busy, I have to be in Japan for all nine rounds of the motocross championship and every test they do with the bikes on top of that, so I’ll be pretty flat out,” he added. “I don’t know how it’d really work, but if I got permission and the green light from HRC, I’d say I’ll probably do a few MX Nationals rounds. Probably hard pack tracks with ruts and a few hills like Toowoomba, that’s what I’m interested in racing the most.”

Stay tuned for more information of possible Australian appearances from Katsuya during the 2016 MX Nationals calendar.