Marco Melandri
Italian rider, Marco Melandri was introduced to racing at just six years of age. As evidence of his passion and talent for the sport, he raked in wins in motocross, minibikes, and the 125cc Italian National Championship. By the time he reached 15, he was competing in the World Championships. Although close to the title in 1998 and 1999, the 125cc crown escaped Melandri. He, however, did not escape the expert eye of Aprilia, who drafted him onto their team in 2000 to begin his 250cc career.
Inhereting the bike ridden by Valentino Rossi, Marco won his first quarter liter victory in Sachsenring in 2001, finishing third overall for the season. 2002 proved even better as he collected 9 wins and the 250cc World Championship title. Continuing his forward movement, Marco moved up to MotoGP in 2003.
A broken leg in his first season of Premier Class competition squashed his hopes for a title. 2004 was a hit and miss campaign racing for Yamaha. The next year, he proved what he had come to prove, riding his way to the runner-up spot for Honda, followed by a solid collection of wins and podiums in 2006.
In 2008, it was announced that Marco would be riding alongside Casey Stoner on the factory Ducati team. Theoretically, this should have been an unbeatable combination, however, realistically it was far less than perfect. The original 2 year contract with Ducati was slashed, and Kawasaki swooped in to pick up the pieces and the world-class rider for their own campaign in 2009.
During the winter break, Kawasaki found it in their best financial interest to pull the plug on their MotoGP campaign, subsequently leaving Melandri hung out to dry. Just before the 2009 season opener, a mutual agreement was reached between Marco and Hayate Racing to create a satellite team with a Kawasaki bike but no factory support. He shined in Le Mans with an absolutely stunning 2nd place finish despite the factory pulling out, and went on to finish a respectable 10th in the final standings of 2009.
San Carlo Honda Gresini stepped up to the plate for 2010 and signed Marco along with rookie Marco Simocelli. With factory support once again, and one of the top bikes in the paddock, Marco is surely looking down the barrel of a stellar year.
Confirmed 2011 Contract with Sterilgarda Yamaha - World Superbike
Marco Melandri #33 - San Carlo Honda Gresini
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Born: August 7, 1982 Hometown: Ravenna, Italy Height: 5' 5 Weight: 134 lbs Marital Status: Single Hobbies: Music, being a DJ, reading Team: Hayate Racing Helmet: Nolan |
Marco Melandri 2010 MotoGP Results
San Carlo Honda Gresini
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Misc. Marco Melandri Merchandise....
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MotoGP Racing
The fastest men on two wheels - MotoGP is the world's premier sportbike racing championship.The 2010 season promises 18 Grand Prix races where the world's top sportbike manufacturers and most talented riders come together for a breathtaking display of speed and agility on the most technically demanding road courses known to man.
This year, Valentino Rossi will ride to defend his 9th World Championship title against the Australian power-rider, Casey Stoner, Spanish throttle-jockey Dani Pedrosa, and teammate/adversary Jorge Lorenzo who nipped at Rossi's heels all season in 2009.
MotoGP racing - Creating sportbike racing legends at over 200 MPH.
Experience the excitement of the 2010 season of MotoGP racing as Marco Melandri chases his first World Championship title
