Marco Melandri And Aprilia Split
| July 8, 2015
The barely contained misery that has been Marco Melandri’s 2015 MotoGP season has come to an end. Aprilia Racing confirmed via a statement earlier today that the company and Melandri have mutually decided to part ways following an utterly disastrous return to the premier class for Melandi, a category he finished second in the world in 2005.
Melandri was reluctantly persuaded back to MotoGP by Aprilia, following the company’s official withdrawal as a factory team in the World Superbike Championship to bring its MotoGP racing program forward one year to 2015 as they develop their MotoGP machine for the new championship rules that will debut next season.
“Aprilia Racing and Marco Melandri have reached an agreement by mutual consent to terminate the contractual obligations between Marco Melandri and Aprilia Racing.
“Consequently, Marco Melandri will no longer be lined up on the grid with Aprilia Racing starting from the German Grand Prix on 12 July.
“Aprilia Racing wishes Marco Melandri all the best in his future endeavors.”
Melandri has qualified last in all but one MotoGP race this season and has failed to score a point, compared to the 11 scored by teammate Alvaro Bautista, his best result being 11th at Catalunya.
The free spot at Aprilia Racing will be taken by test rider and current BSB star, Michael Laverty. Laverty will debut for Aprilia at this weekend’s German Grand Prix, however it is unclear if he will continue for the rest of the season as he’s still contracted to Tyco BMW in British Superbike.
Rennie Scaysbrook | Road Test Editor
Our newest member of staff is our Road Test Editor Rennie Scaysbrook. A lifetime rider, the Aussie made the trek across the Pacific to live the dream in the U.S. of A.
