Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Australian racer Andrew Pitt, 27, has been signed to the Moriwaki Racing team to test and race its Honda V5-powered MD211VF prototype in as many as five MotoGP rounds.

Pitt is currently testing the Moriwaki machine on Dunlop tires at Sepang in Malaysia alongside several other MotoGP teams.

MD211VF project leader Mamoru Moriwaki told reporters that Pitt started his test Tuesday on the same spec bike that Tamaki Serizawa rode in the MotoGP race at Motegi last year and will move on to the 2004-version of the machine on Wednesday.

Pitt, the 2001 FIM Supersport World Champion, rode for Fuchs Kawasaki in 2003 and finished 26th, last, in the MotoGP Championship standings with a best finish of 14th at Assen.