MotoGP 2015: Aprilia Racing and rider Marco Melandri confirm split after just eight races
MARCO Melandri and Aprilia Racing have parted ways ahead of this weekend’s German Grand Prix at Sachsenring just eight races into his MotoGP return.
MARCO Melandri and Aprilia Racing have parted ways ahead of this weekend’s German Grand Prix at Sachsenring just eight races into his MotoGP return.
Melandri had a tumultuous working relationship with Aprilia after the team enticed him back to MotoGP from the Superbike World Championship, failing to score a point and qualifying last in seven of eight races this year.
“Aprilia Racing and Marco Melandri have reached an agreement by mutual consent to terminate the contractual obligations between Marco Melandri and Aprilia Racing,” a statement released by the team read.
“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 endeavours.”
Melandri will be replaced by test rider Michael Laverty, brother of fellow Aprilla rider Eugene, in on the grid in this weekend’s German Grand Prix.
In addition to his duties as a test rider for the team, Laverty was riding for BMW in the British Superbike Championship, but will now juggle his commitments in the two series for the remainder of 2015.
“I’m excited to be back on the MotoGP grid this weekend for the German GP. Competing against the regular guys racing MotoGP is a tough task, but I am relishing the opportunity,” Laverty said.
“I have been riding with the Aprilia test team so I am comfortable with the Aprilia RS-GP machine and the Bridgestone tyres.
“Firstly I must adapt the race bikes to suit me and then look to keep progressing throughout the weekend. Álvaro has been riding strongly in this first half of the season and I have witnessed some great development work through the test team. I now look forward to being a part of the racing team.”
The Lavertys will be the second set of brothers riding in MotoGP this season, alongside Aleix and Pol Espargaro. Eugene rides for the Aspar Honda team and has scored seven points so far in 2015.
Originally published as MotoGP 2015: Aprilia Racing and rider Marco Melandri confirm split after just eight races
Why this Italian is the man to beat at Phillip Island
Nicolo Bulega will likely be the frontrunner for the opening round of the 2025 World Superbikes series but the Ducati rider will be well aware of the unpredictability of the Phillip Island circuit.
The day job keeping the Supercars reigning champion grounded
He finished 2024 a Supercars champion, but don’t think Will Brown is still riding that wave. The Triple Eight star reveals how he recharged in the off-season, and it’s not how some would think.