Brno MotoGP: Gresini Honda confirm Marco Melandri deal

Marco Melandri’s return to the Gresini Honda squad has been confirmed in Brno this morning.

In a move widely expected when it became apparent Kawasaki would cease supporting the Hayate team at the end of 2009, Melandri will join fellow Italian Marco Simoncelli back at Gresini.

The former world 250GP champion enjoyed his most successful spell in MotoGP with Fausto Gresini’s team when he rode for them in between 2005 and ’07.

He won five races for the Gresini team and claimed 17 podium finishes and was runner-up behind Valentino Rossi in 2005.

Team boss Gresini said: “It gives us great pride and satisfaction to have Marco back with us.

“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 Gresini story and we have had great results together.

“Now I am confident we can recreate the past success. With Simoncelli and Melandri together and San Carlo as the main sponsor we have a true Italian flavour to the team.”

Confirmation of Melandri’s deal means that Alex de Angelis and Toni Elias are now both on the rider market for 2010.

San Marino rider de Angelis has been linked with a move to the Pramac Ducati squad, while MCN has been told Elias has been desperately trying to open talks with Tech 3 Yamaha team boss Herve Poncharal about a YZR-M1 ride.