Former 250cc World Champ to leave MotoGP for World Superbikes
GRESINI HONDA MotoGP rider Marco Melandri has signed with Sterilgarda Yamaha to race in the 2011 World Superbike Championship partnering British ace James Toseland.The announcement comes following the news that current Sterilgarda rider Cal Crutchlow will move to Tech 3 Yamaha in MotoGP next season, with Melandri taking the vacant seat at the WSB squad.Melandri has endured an unsuccessful last three years in MotoGP, failing to return any favourable results for either Kawasaki, Ducati and Honda. The Italian's finest season was in 2005, when he finished second in the championship, riding for Honda.“I'm very happy with this new challenge, it's a big change and I want to fight for world superbike wins,” said Melandri. "It's nice to be back with Yamaha; I know many people there; I was very young when I rode with them before, now I'm much more mature.“As the reigning 2009 champions The Yamaha Sterilgarda Team have proved to have a very competitive package and are one of the top teams in World Superbike. I realise Superbike is not easy and I know I have to work hard. I'm looking forward to feeling the adrenalin again and fighting for the championship.”
Gutted.
Really rate Marco, but think he's had a rotten run of it in MotoGP since originally leaving Gresini.
Hope he's much more successful in WSB; and what a superb team to move to as well.
Posted: 06/09/2010 at 10:15
He was amazing on the Hayate Kawasaki - got to be one of top rated underdog performances ever in my book.
Wonder how he'll do in supers though?
Posted: 06/09/2010 at 14:28
£5195
£4895
£4995
