2009 season in one-rider Kawasaki team

Melandri to start 2009 season in one-rider Kawasaki team
Thursday, 26 February 2009

Kawasaki have announced that after constructive talks between themselves, Dorna and additional third parties, a new one-rider team will participate in the 2009 MotoGP World Championship.


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.


TAGS

It's good to see that they'll still be in the campaign, but with just one bike they'll be at a huge disadvantage in development. I suppose that they were convinced that running one bike was cheaper than the fine Dorna was probably going to levy on them for not fulfilling their commitment to the series.

melandri comes in 9th outta 18 riders in day one of testing/qualifying at qatar

melandri on the 09 zxr-rr......man a good finsih sunday would be a great start to the season.!!!!!!

No Kawi green anywhere?