Suzuki confirm Melandri meeting

Marco Melandri has held tentative discussions with Suzuki’s factory MotoGP squad.

MCN has learned that the Italian met Rizla Suzuki team manager Paul Denning after he clinched his first podium of 2007 in a rain-lashed French GP at Le Mans.

The 24-year-old met Denning in the company of his manager Alberto Vergani.

Denning confirmed a meeting took place but insisted the discussions were nothing more than an ‘off the record’ chat.

Melandri’s contract with the Gresini Honda squad expires at the end of the season, and he has already been strongly linked with a switch to Ducati.

The former world 250 champion signed a pre-contract agreement with the Bologna factory last season, but when Fausto Gresini matched the Ducati offer within 15 days, Melandri was bound by a clause in his contract to remain with Honda.

Melandri though has been unhappy so far in 2007 with the struggling Honda new RC212V 800, and he’s been highly critical of the V4 machines failings.

Denning told MCN: “They were just interested to find out a little bit more information. Teams need to leave their options open to some extent and riders are no different.

“They just wanted a very off the record discussion to see what our plans are and where the project is heading. If riders at that level can believe that Suzuki is moving forward in the right direction that’s great for Suzuki.”

Denning though confirmed current factory duo Chris Vermeulen and John Hopkins were favourites to remain on board the vastly improved GSV-R 800, which has claimed a victory and third place in the last two races.