MotoGP news

Melandri rejoins Gresini for 2010

The Gresini Honda team has announced that Italy's Marco Melandri will be making the switch to the satellite outfit for next season. The experienced rider joins newcomer Marco Simoncelli as he steps up from the 250cc to the main MotoGP class, meaning that current riders Toni Elías and Alex de Angelis are forced to look elsewhere.         

News of 27-year-old Melandri's move means the 250cc Champion of 2002 will be returning to the team at which he spent three seasons between 2005 and 2007. Simoncelli's rise, on the other hand, was confirmed in June and marks both his first season in the top tier and an all-Italian partnership at the team,

Fausto Gresini and Marco Simoncelli signed their 2010 contract at the end of June

"It gives us great pride and satisfaction to have Marco Melandri back with us," said team boss Fausto Gresini. "I have always had great belief in his potential and to get our sporting and technical project with him back on track following his experiences with other teams creates fresh and important motivation.

"Melandri is a huge part of the Honda Gresini story - we have had great results together that, over time, consolidated a relationship founded on mutual respect and friendship. Now I am confident that we can recreate the past successes that gave us so much joy and excitement. With Simoncelli and Melandri together in the premier class and San Carlo as main sponsor, we have a true Italian flavour to the team."

Gresini also confirmed that the all-new line-up leaves no space for the team's current riders: "The choice we have made means that we will not be extending our relationship with Elias or De Angelis but, after a start to the season that certainly wasn't easy, thanks to a lot effort from everybody involved we are starting to pick up some good results so I hope we can keep it up until the end of the season and help them find a good ride in MotoGP. I want to thank both of them and wish them a successful future."

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