Dutch MotoGP: Fausto Gresini fears Marco Melandri exit

Honda team boss Fausto Gresini has expressed concerns star rider Marco Melandri will quit to land a factory ride in the 2008 MotoGP world championship.

With just one podium in 2007 in a rain-lashed French GP in Le Mans, Marco Melandri has come nowhere near mounting the title threat he anticipated. ]

Critical of Honda’s new RC212V, which is still to win a race in the new 800cc era, Marco Melandri has admitted discussions with Suzuki and MCN understands he has also been in discussion with Kawasaki about a move.

Ducati are also known to be closely monitoring the situation, with the Bologna factory keen on Marco Melandri, should veteran Italian Loris Capirossi quit to accept a big-money two-year contract at Kawasaki.

Melandri came close to joining Ducati at the end of last season but was forced to stay out when former world 125 champion Gresini successfully matched Ducati’s offer within a 15 day time limit before Melandri became a free agent.

Fausto Gresini confirmed the 24-year-old’s increasing frustration at the performance of Honda’s new RC212V 800 and told MCN: “Marco at the moment is not in a good situation and it is clear that he is not happy.

“If Marco is not happy to stay then also I am not interested to have an unhappy rider in my team. Now he doesn’t have the bike to win or the mentality to win.

“Everybody expected the new bike to be better and unfortunately that has not been the case.”

Marco Melandri’s contract expires at the end of the season, and Fausto Gresini has no option to keep him as he did in 2006.