Kawasaki back in MotoGP

Italian Marco Melandri has been granted a welcome reprieve to continue in MotoGP after Kawasaki announced it will compete in this year's championship after all.

The news comes just weeks after the Japanese manufacturer confirmed (here) it was to end its MotoGP activities due to the economic downturn.

A statement released on Thursday confirmed the team's return to the sport comes in the wake of "constructive talks between Kawasaki, (MotoGP organiser) Dorna and other involved parties".

"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 statement continued. "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 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."

Melandri moved to Kawasaki from Ducati at the end of what was a dismal 2008 season for the Italian, but shortly afterwards was told his new team would not be on the grid in 2009.

While the 26-year-old will continue riding, the man who would have been Melandri's teammate this season, American John Hopkins, appears set for an extended spell on the sidelines.

There will now be 18 riders on the grid at the season opening night race in Qatar on April 12.

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