Frenchman Gautier Paulin has been welcomed by Team HRC for the 2015 MXGP World Championship as part of Honda’s motorsport announcement at the EICMA international motorcycle exhibition in Milan, Italy.

Now in his sixth season on the Honda CRF, Evgeny Bobryshev is joined for the 2015 season by Honda returnee Paulin, who competed in red during the early stages of his career.

Paulin’s move back to the Honda CRF is one of the sport’s highest-profile and eagerly anticipated switches for next year, replaced at the Kawasaki Racing Team by Ryan Villopoto.

“To be a part of Honda again is just amazing,” Paulin said. “In two words, it’s a dream. I started my professional career with Honda and to be part of the HRC family is such a good feeling. We have been working really well together already and the feeling with the CRF450RW is really good – that’s what I signed for!

“I really feel good on the bike. For sure it’s always a challenge changing team but I really like the crew around me. To be here in EICMA as part of the whole motorcycle presentation alongside MotoGP, Dakar and Trials is really good – it’s great to be back in this family. It’s just like coming home for me.”

Honda and HRC also welcome back a second Frenchman to the team ahead of next season in long-time Honda rider, multiple world and US champion Jean-Michel Bayle, who assumes the newly created position of sporting manager at Team HRC.