 Melandri (left) finished second behind Rossi (right) in 2005 |
Marco Melandri's new bosses at Fortuna Honda have tipped him to break Yamaha rider Valentino Rossi's stranglehold on the MotoGP championship. Riding for Movistar Honda in 2005, the Italian came second and next year he will ride for Fortuna, with Toni Elias.
"It's a great opportunity, with two great riders in Marco, who's shown what he can do, and Toni, who's an emerging talent," said Gresini.
"I think they are the new generation in MotoGP."
Having stepped up from 250cc, Spaniard Elias made an impressive MotoGP debut in 2005, finishing 12th overall despite a mid-season injury break, and Gresini clearly regards him as a great prospect.
"This deal lasts for two years which is important as it's a long-term project," he said.
"We brought forward the presentation so that we could start work as soon as possible and in a calm manner."
MMIX
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 