Kawasaki announces that after constructive talks between Kawasaki, Dorna and other parties involved, a new one-rider Team will participate in the 2009 MotoGP Championship season.
This decision was made after negotiations that followed Kawasaki’s January 2009 announcement to suspend its factory supported MotoGP activities due to the worldwide economic crisis. The rider for the new MotoGP team will be the Italian, Marco Melandri.
The team will be equipped with Kawasaki motorcycles and supporting materials. That Kawasaki has come to this new team approach is the result, on the one hand, of the need for a strong reduction of MotoGP racing investments, and on the other, the necessity to come to a constructive solution for all the related parties.
The new team will disclose more details about its 2009 season plans shortly.
Source | MCN
- MotoGP: Marco Melandri Frustrated with his Kawasaki ZX-RR Problems A problem with the throttle on his Kawasaki ZX-RR...
- Confirmed Kawasaki leaving MotoGP! The Spanish Motorcycle publication Motociclismo dug up the dirt...
- Aspar looking to take over Kawasaki MotoGP squad. Hopkins & Melandri may ride again. 2009 Kawasaki MotoGP team still may have a chance...
Interesting. There are other stories floating around saying Melandri wouldn’t commit until after the Qatar tests. He didn’t want to be racing a bike 3 seconds off the pace. Let’s see how he goes under the lights in a few days time.
http://www.ducatinewstoday.com