[WSBK] Marco Melandri: The year of all dangers

Fifth in the Superbike World Championship last year, with 297 points and 2 victories, Marco Melandri finished quite far from his teammate Chaz Davies, second with 356 points and also 2 victories, facing Champion Johnny Rea with 545 points and 17 victories , including 11 consecutive (current series). But he has just left Ducati to move to Yamaha, where his adaptation seems difficult.

Melandri had started his career like a meteor, with two places on the final podium for his first two seasons in GP 125, then the title of World Champion in 250 in 2002, followed by a great career in MotoGP with second place of the world championship in 2005, and 5 victories in MotoGP.

It was in 2008 that everything collapsed, when Marco fell victim to the Ducati Desmosedici GP8, at a time when several big names left behind on the Bologna side, with the exception of Casey Stoner, World Champion in 2007 on the “Rossa”, the Red. Marco then moved to WSBK, from 2nd place in 2011 on Yamaha, to 3rd then on BMW, 4th on BMW, then Aprilia, then Ducati, and finally 5th on Ducati last year.

This year started very badly, Melandri finishing 9th in the Jerez tests on January 24, but above all last of the four Yamaha riders behind Alex Lowes, Sandra Cortese and Michael van der Mark. This misstep was then confirmed a few days later in Portimão. Marco, who was still learning the Yamaha, was behind Lowes and van der mark, which was nothing dramatic. On the other hand, he was ahead of his teammate Cortese who was carrying out his first tests in Superbike. 153 races in WSBK for Melandri, 0 for Cortese, the count was not good and the man from Ravenna at the age of 36 could legitimately ask himself questions.

“The Portimao test was very difficult for me, without being able to find a good basic setting, nor being able to achieve a fast lap time., explained Marco. I came to Portugal hoping for a little more, but it seems we have been circling around the real problem, unable to find a solution.

“For me, it is very difficult at the moment to brake as I want: the bike does not respond well to my riding style when braking and entering the corner. We have tried everything we can in Portimão, but it seems that it is not enough. We now need to try different options at Phillip Island, adopt a different setup in order to find a solution before the first race of the season ».

The rear of the machine poses an infinite number of difficulties for its technical team, the suspension and power delivery not getting along well with the Pirelli. “When I wanted to go fast, I had a problem with the qualifying tire. For me the problem is that every time I put a new rear tire on it causes me a lot of trouble and I can't be efficient for a fast lap.

“The conditions of the circuit changed a lot, with strong wind and cold temperatures which complicated things. So these were not the best circumstances for testing, especially before Phillip Island where it can sometimes be very hot. But it was a good experience for the team and me. Now we need to improve the bike, the sensations, everything. It will be different in Australia. We have gathered a lot of information that will allow us to prepare well for the next tests to be a little more ready for Phillip Island”.

All this results seems quite negative, but there is still a glimmer of hope: Marco Melandri won two races last year with the Ducati, and in fact the first two of the year at Phillip Island. “ Last year it was a perfect weekend for me. This year everything is new. Everything can happen. I'm going to ride as fast as possible and do the best I can. Many drivers can win. I go there without pressure, to have fun. We need time, it's not easy, but we must progress step by step. »

The first two days of testing in Australia will take place on Monday February 18 and Tuesday February 19, before the race weekend itself which takes place from February 22-24.