Melandri future relies on Dorna
Added on Monday, January 5th, 2009 by Carole Nash Editor | No Comments
Melandri could be without a ride in 2009 unless a rescue package is forthcoming.
Marco Melandri’s agent admits that the Italian’s future is up in the air as Kawasaki look set to announce that they will not be running a MotoGP team in 2009.
Melandri, who signed up with the “Green Machine” at the end of the season following a disastrous with Ducati, could find himself without a ride next season should Kawasaki, as expected, announce their withdrawal from the championship later today.
Rumours are circulating that the Aspar team, who had wanted to run a third Kawasaki on the MotoGP grid before contract wrangling put the idea to bed, could be talked into taking on the factory Kawasaki’s next season by championship promoter Dorna and Melandri’s agent Alberto Vergani claimed that the future of the Italian lay with the promoter.
“We can’t do anything but wait,” Vergani told Corriere dello Sport. “Either someone calls us and tells us that there’s a bike for us, or we can’t race.
“But if you think that (Dani) Pedrosa has won six Grands Prix in his career and Marco five, then it’s obvious that MotoGP can’t do without someone like Melandri.
“However, if Dorna is not interested in having strong riders taking part in the races, then it’s another matter. Now it’s up to Dorna to make a move.”
Melandri has a strong record in MotoGP despite last season’s disappointment, having finished second to Valentino Rossi in the 2005 championship with Gresini Honda.
His potential 2009 teammate John Hopkins is also waiting for his manager to resolve his future having been contacted by team management late last week.
“Everything is up in the air and people want answers,” Hopkins wrote on his personal website. “Everything from here is now in my manager’s hands. There will be an official press release very soon, where we can confirm or deny all rumours.”
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