Melandri to start 2009 season in one-rider Kawasaki team

The decision was made after negotiations which followed Kawasaki’s January 2009 announcement to suspend its factory supported MotoGP activities, due to the global economic downturn.

The rider for the new MotoGP team will be the Italian 26 year-old Marco Melandri. The team will be equipped with Kawasaki motorcycles and supporting materials.

That Kawasaki has arrived at this new team approach is the result of both the need for a significant reduction of MotoGP racing investments and the simultaneous necessity to come to a constructive solution for all related parties.

The new team will disclose more details about its 2009 season plans shortly.