EJ25RUN
12-31-2008, 10:04 AM
Kawasaki will run a single bike effort in the 2009 MotoGP season with Marco Melandri
http://hellforleathermagazine.com/assets_c/2009/02/2009_Marco_Melandri_Kawasaki-thumb-415x276-3218.jpg
Autosport
Kawasaki commit to 2009 with Melandri
By Matt Beer Thursday, February 26th 2009, 13:47 GMT
Marco MelandriKawasaki have announced that they will remain in MotoGP with a single bike for Marco Melandri.
The Japanese manufacturer had previously declared that it would end its MotoGP programme due to the global economic crisis, but has now partially reversed its decision.
"Kawasaki announces that after constructive talks between Kawasaki, Dorna and other involved parties, a new one-rider team will participate in the 2009 MotoGP Championship season," said a Kawasaki statement.
"This decision was made after negotiations that followed Kawasaki's January 2009 announcement to suspend its factory supported MotoGP activities due to the economic crisis.
"The team will be equipped with Kawasaki motorcycles and supporting materials. That Kawasaki has come to this new team approach is the result of on the one hand the need for a strong reduction of MotoGP racing investments and on the other hand the necessity to come to constructive solutions for all related parties."
MotoGP organiser Dorna had been determined to find a way of keeping a Kawasaki presence in the championship, and had looked into placing the ex-factory bikes with a private team. Leading 250cc squad Aspar were initially tipped for the project, as was a new team to be formed from the former works Kawasaki squad.
Dorna boss Carmelo Ezpeleta had also hinted that he would take legal action if Kawasaki did not remain in the sport, as all the MotoGP manufacturers had signed up to an agreement to race in the championship through 2011.
The 2009 Kawasaki has already run in Australia with test rider Olivier Jacque.
John Hopkins had been set to stay on for a second season with Kawasaki alongside Melandri, but the announcement of a one-bike team leaves the American's future unclear.
SIDE NEWS: John Hopkins is reported by MCN to be headed to Stiggy's Honda team in World Superbike......this too to go with a possible lawsuit on Kawi.
Old news .................................................. ........................
http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/44475000/jpg/_44475507_repsol9_416.jpghttp://farm4.static.flickr.com/3212/2978795591_2810295bf0.jpg
The official release is set to be announced in days.
Autosport: Kawasaki exit a shock for riders
Marco Melandri and John Hopkins have both been taken aback by news that Kawasaki is set to confirm its withdrawal from MotoGP within days.
As autosport.com reported on Tuesday, Kawasaki is expected to announce early next week that it is to withdraw from MotoGP because of the worldwide economic downturn.
The shock news will leave both Hopkins and Melandri without rides in 2009 - with neither rider knowing what their plans now are for the year ahead.
Melandri's manager Alberto Vergani said that the Kawasaki decision had probably been made just before Christmas - and revealed that his Italian rider had already been offered to Gresini.
"Nobody expected it: the racing department had been strengthened following Marco's suggestions. There were engine evolutions, and (Olivier) Jacque had run with the new bike," Vergani told Gazzetta dello Sport. "Marco was feeling treated like a king.
"It looks like the decision was taken on December the 24th in Japan...However, I've offered Marco for free to Gresini, if he wants him..."
The chances of a Gresini switch for Melandri appear slim, however, with team boss Fausto Gresini playing the idea down.
"Marco and his manager made their decision in Brno when they refused my offer,” Gresini told Gazzetta dello Sport. “I'm not a salesman.”
Hopkins has also been linked with Gresini, but said that it was too early for him to know what was really going on.
Speaking to American website cyclenews.com, Hopkins said: “I heard it’s up in the air, but I haven’t heard anything confirmed yet.
“I got some calls from the team manager [Michael Bartholemy] and he said that everything could be up in the air as to whether they run it or not, but nothing has been confirmed. I don’t know what it would do to me. I’m really not sure.
“I’ve been talking to my managers and seeing what the plan is and they’ve been on the phone to Japan trying to figure it out as well. Right now I’m still contracted to them so I’m not sure what the plan is.”
There is speculation that Jorge Martinez could be involved in a potential private bid to run the Kawasaki bikes and operation - perhaps with some financial help from MotoGP organisers Dorna.
My take.
Is Motogp losing to WSBK or what? Let's forget on track action for a second where WSBK of 08 was so much better than the Motogp Rossi or Stoner show. One fight at Laguna wasn't enough imo. Just remember the Motogp of 2003 as reference.
If noone buys the operation from Kawasaki, that would be two less bikes on the grid bringing the total down to 18.
18 bikes in the worlds premier two wheeled sport isn't enough.
Compare 18 to the yet to be finalized field of 36! in the WSBK championship.
Also, while Motogp teams keep dropping, look at the 3 new machines in WSBK.
BMW & Aprilia in 2009 and KTM in 2010.
Current Motogp :no:
http://hellforleathermagazine.com/assets_c/2009/02/2009_Marco_Melandri_Kawasaki-thumb-415x276-3218.jpg
Autosport
Kawasaki commit to 2009 with Melandri
By Matt Beer Thursday, February 26th 2009, 13:47 GMT
Marco MelandriKawasaki have announced that they will remain in MotoGP with a single bike for Marco Melandri.
The Japanese manufacturer had previously declared that it would end its MotoGP programme due to the global economic crisis, but has now partially reversed its decision.
"Kawasaki announces that after constructive talks between Kawasaki, Dorna and other involved parties, a new one-rider team will participate in the 2009 MotoGP Championship season," said a Kawasaki statement.
"This decision was made after negotiations that followed Kawasaki's January 2009 announcement to suspend its factory supported MotoGP activities due to the economic crisis.
"The team will be equipped with Kawasaki motorcycles and supporting materials. That Kawasaki has come to this new team approach is the result of on the one hand the need for a strong reduction of MotoGP racing investments and on the other hand the necessity to come to constructive solutions for all related parties."
MotoGP organiser Dorna had been determined to find a way of keeping a Kawasaki presence in the championship, and had looked into placing the ex-factory bikes with a private team. Leading 250cc squad Aspar were initially tipped for the project, as was a new team to be formed from the former works Kawasaki squad.
Dorna boss Carmelo Ezpeleta had also hinted that he would take legal action if Kawasaki did not remain in the sport, as all the MotoGP manufacturers had signed up to an agreement to race in the championship through 2011.
The 2009 Kawasaki has already run in Australia with test rider Olivier Jacque.
John Hopkins had been set to stay on for a second season with Kawasaki alongside Melandri, but the announcement of a one-bike team leaves the American's future unclear.
SIDE NEWS: John Hopkins is reported by MCN to be headed to Stiggy's Honda team in World Superbike......this too to go with a possible lawsuit on Kawi.
Old news .................................................. ........................
http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/44475000/jpg/_44475507_repsol9_416.jpghttp://farm4.static.flickr.com/3212/2978795591_2810295bf0.jpg
The official release is set to be announced in days.
Autosport: Kawasaki exit a shock for riders
Marco Melandri and John Hopkins have both been taken aback by news that Kawasaki is set to confirm its withdrawal from MotoGP within days.
As autosport.com reported on Tuesday, Kawasaki is expected to announce early next week that it is to withdraw from MotoGP because of the worldwide economic downturn.
The shock news will leave both Hopkins and Melandri without rides in 2009 - with neither rider knowing what their plans now are for the year ahead.
Melandri's manager Alberto Vergani said that the Kawasaki decision had probably been made just before Christmas - and revealed that his Italian rider had already been offered to Gresini.
"Nobody expected it: the racing department had been strengthened following Marco's suggestions. There were engine evolutions, and (Olivier) Jacque had run with the new bike," Vergani told Gazzetta dello Sport. "Marco was feeling treated like a king.
"It looks like the decision was taken on December the 24th in Japan...However, I've offered Marco for free to Gresini, if he wants him..."
The chances of a Gresini switch for Melandri appear slim, however, with team boss Fausto Gresini playing the idea down.
"Marco and his manager made their decision in Brno when they refused my offer,” Gresini told Gazzetta dello Sport. “I'm not a salesman.”
Hopkins has also been linked with Gresini, but said that it was too early for him to know what was really going on.
Speaking to American website cyclenews.com, Hopkins said: “I heard it’s up in the air, but I haven’t heard anything confirmed yet.
“I got some calls from the team manager [Michael Bartholemy] and he said that everything could be up in the air as to whether they run it or not, but nothing has been confirmed. I don’t know what it would do to me. I’m really not sure.
“I’ve been talking to my managers and seeing what the plan is and they’ve been on the phone to Japan trying to figure it out as well. Right now I’m still contracted to them so I’m not sure what the plan is.”
There is speculation that Jorge Martinez could be involved in a potential private bid to run the Kawasaki bikes and operation - perhaps with some financial help from MotoGP organisers Dorna.
My take.
Is Motogp losing to WSBK or what? Let's forget on track action for a second where WSBK of 08 was so much better than the Motogp Rossi or Stoner show. One fight at Laguna wasn't enough imo. Just remember the Motogp of 2003 as reference.
If noone buys the operation from Kawasaki, that would be two less bikes on the grid bringing the total down to 18.
18 bikes in the worlds premier two wheeled sport isn't enough.
Compare 18 to the yet to be finalized field of 36! in the WSBK championship.
Also, while Motogp teams keep dropping, look at the 3 new machines in WSBK.
BMW & Aprilia in 2009 and KTM in 2010.
Current Motogp :no: