Kawasaki Will Stay in MotoGP with Marco Melandri

Kawasaki have partially reversed their decision to pull out of the MotoGP in 2009 by announcing they will remain in the series with a single-bike effort. The luckier of the two riders that were already under contract with the Japanese manufacturer for the new season is Italian Marco Melandri, who'll get to run a full season with Kawasaki for the first time in career.

Although they initially confirmed their withdrawal from the sport in early January, Kawasaki have been threatened by MotoGP promoter Dorna what they will face legal actions should they fail to honor their contract with the series for the upcoming season. The two parties eventually arranged to a compromise, with Kawasaki making the 2009 grid with a single bike.

“Kawasaki announces that after constructive talks between Kawasaki, Dorna and other involved parties, a new one-rider team will participate in the 2009 MotoGP Championship season,” announced the latest statement from the Japanese manufacturer.

“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 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.”

“The new team will disclose more details about its 2009 season’s plans on a short notice,” red the full statement.

That leaves American rider John Hopkins unclear on his future role with the “Ninjas”. Hopkins was preparing for his second campaign with Kawasaki in 2009, but the statement did not mention his name in any way as part of new team's plans for the future.