Melandri to leave Honda Gresini
Sunday, 5 September 2010San Carlo Honda Gresini have confirmed Italian rider Marco Melandri will leave the team at the end of the current MotoGP World Championship season.
The former 250cc world champion will switch codes to the Superbike World Championship from 2011, where he will replace the MotoGP-bound Cal Crutchlow at the factory Yamaha team.
Melandri enjoyed success with the Honda Gresini team during a three-year stint between 2005 and 2007 but his return has not brought the desired results and he currently lies in ninth place in the MotoGP riders' standings, with a best result of fifth place achieved at his home race at Mugello in June.
'It was a difficult decision because this is the best team I have worked with in my career,' said Melandri.
'But I felt that I needed a new challenge and the genuine opportunity to be back fighting for wins and podiums led me to make this choice.
'I'm very happy with this new challenge, it's a big change and I want to fight for World Superbike wins.'
