Honda clinch Melandri signature

**Marknz** · 11th November 2004, 20:53

Former world 250c champion Marco Melandri has signed to ride for the Telefonica Honda MotoGP team next year.
He will race alongside 2004's MotoGP championship runner-up Sete Gibernau, and becomes the team's first Italian rider since Loris Capirossi in 1999.

"I'm sure that we can offer Marco the right atmosphere to work and that he will give us much satisfaction," said team chief Fausto Gresini.

"I'm motivated and would like to start as soon as possible," said Melandri.

Melandri and chief mechanic Fabrizio Cecchini have already visited the team's Race department to start work on their new bike.

He will ride the RCV211 for the first time at the team's next testing session at Jerez from 24-26 November.

**Blakamin** · 11th November 2004, 20:56

I wonder what Gibernau thinks of that deal????
I reckon he'd be spewin as telefonica mold Melandri and ignore him just a tad... after all, wouldnt they be looking towards the next world champion?

**Bob** · 11th November 2004, 21:16

Originally Posted by Blakamin

I wonder what Gibernau thinks of that deal????
I reckon he'd be spewin as telefonica mold Melandri and ignore him just a tad... after all, wouldnt they be looking towards the next world champion?

The team would ignore Gibernau at their peril - the Telefonica sponsorship is for HIM, not the team as a whole. It came with him to the Honda team. This is also another BIG headache for Honda:

Repsol are the official works team - no idea how much they pay Honda, but it is conditional of the sponsorship that their team is the works team and gets all the new kit.

So... even though last year, it was clear the best Honda riders were not in the official HRC/Repsol team, it was not possible to give the riders in the satellite teams all the new kit.

Gibernau was the highest finishing Honda rider... but as HE is sponsored by Telefonica, they cannot move him into the Repsol team.

Melandri has been signed as a potential future champion for sure - but right now, this is the next stage in the learning curve. He has to start keeping the bike upright and finishing more races. Working with Gibernau can only accellerate this process.

I think Gibernau gives Honda their best chance of taking the World title next season... now all they need to do is find a way of getting parts to him/sorting out the whole unholy mess their sponsorship contracts have them in when it comes to supplying kit to the teams and riders.

**Blakamin** · 11th November 2004, 21:22

Originally Posted by Bob

I think Gibernau gives Honda their best chance of taking the World title next season... now all they need to do is find a way of getting parts to him/sorting out the whole unholy mess their sponsorship contracts have them in when it comes to supplying kit to the teams and riders.

True... but i still think Gibernau is riding at the wrong time in history... he'd be a champion if there wasnt a Rossi... and after Rossi is where your Melandri's come into it....

**That Guy** · 12th November 2004, 08:06

Originally Posted by Bob

The team would ignore Gibernau at their peril - the Telefonica sponsorship is for HIM, not the team as a whole. It came with him to the Honda team. This is also another BIG headache for Honda:

Repsol are the official works team - no idea how much they pay Honda, but it is conditional of the sponsorship that their team is the works team and gets all the new kit.

So... even though last year, it was clear the best Honda riders were not in the official HRC/Repsol team, it was not possible to give the riders in the satellite teams all the new kit.

Gibernau was the highest finishing Honda rider... but as HE is sponsored by Telefonica, they cannot move him into the Repsol team.

Melandri has been signed as a potential future champion for sure - but right now, this is the next stage in the learning curve. He has to start keeping the bike upright and finishing more races. Working with Gibernau can only accellerate this process.

I think Gibernau gives Honda their best chance of taking the World title next season... now all they need to do is find a way of getting parts to him/sorting out the whole unholy mess their sponsorship contracts have them in when it comes to supplying kit to the teams and riders.

You can guarantee that Gibernau does not get full HRC support on paper as you say the Repsol deal says that their team is the only full HRC team... but you can guarantee Gibernau gets full HRC factory support like the Repsol guys. The HRC truck parks right in the middle of the Repsol team and the Telefonica team and info and parts go in and out both sides......Gibernau's bike will be the same if not better than the Repsol machines......."what's that you say Mr Repsol?" ...."oh no no, Sete is testing new parts for us and if they work we give them to team Repsol, we use him as test rider for you"......Tui advert goes here somewhere....

**Ghost Lemur** · 12th November 2004, 09:20

Originally Posted by Bob

I think Gibernau gives Honda their best chance of taking the World title next season... now all they need to do is find a way of getting parts to him/sorting out the whole unholy mess their sponsorship contracts have them in when it comes to supplying kit to the teams and riders.

Gotta disagree with you. I think Tamada is going to be their big hope for next season. Gibernau showed this year, he's good, but not good enough. He doesn't seem to have the mental control that it takes to win.

Still think it would have been so much better if Yammy had pinched Tamada for Rossi' teammate instead of Edwards. But I suppose we'll just have to wait and see.

**vifferman** · 12th November 2004, 09:59

Originally Posted by Ghost Lemur

Gotta disagree with you. I think Tamada is going to be their big hope for next season. Gibernau showed this year, he's good, but not good enough. He doesn't seem to have the mental control that it takes to win.

Indeed. And Honda are keen to see a Japanese rider on the podium.
I think this posed a little of a problem, as HRC and Michelin are tied together, and Tamada had a Bridgestone deal / sponsorship. Bit of a headache for Honda, as they had quite a few reasonable Honda riders, but only 2 fully factory-supported bikes available.

**gav** · 12th November 2004, 11:32

Tamada may need to ride on Michelins to be World Champ threat, unless Bridgestone can come up with a tyre for every race track, something they have struggled with recently. Nicky Hayden may be the Honda no1 threat to Rossi for next year. He's had two years to learn and really needs to show some results.

**scroter** · 12th November 2004, 12:47

I understand Biaggi is moving up to the Repsol team? is this true and is there anyone out there that think he could be a contender? personally i still cant see how there goin to beat Rossi, hes just too good.

**Marknz** · 12th November 2004, 14:58

Yes, Biaggi is/was going up to Repsol to partner Hayden. Not sure how well his ankle is going to respond to his latest off, but I doubt he'll be up with Rossi too many times next year. While he is a dripping, whinging, crying little fella, Biaggi is very good. But he just suffers from the same complaint that all but one of the field do in this era.... Rossi-itis.

**Deano** · 12th November 2004, 17:42

I can't wait for Daniel Pedrosa (think thats right) to step up. He outpointed Rossi when he (Rossi) was in the 250 world championship and I don't really see anyone currently in MotoGP being able to beat Rossi.

**Ghost Lemur** · 12th November 2004, 18:25

Originally Posted by Deano

I can't wait for Daniel Pedrosa (think thats right) to step up. He outpointed Rossi when he (Rossi) was in the 250 world championship and I don't really see anyone currently in MotoGP being able to beat Rossi.

The big question though is CAN he step up. How many 250 champions were there in the field this year, not to mention WSB/etc. Just because they're good a one level doesn't mean they necessarily have what it takes to move on up.

That's the thing that makes Rossi unique. Across the spectrum he rocks, and can step up anywhere. I've said it elsewhere, but the thing I'd really like to see is Rossi do the IOMTT, before they get rid of it. Probably wont happen though, Team management would have a fit (not to mention the insurance company). Still would be an fantastic site.

THE WORLD NEEDS MORE STREET RACES.

**Deano** · 12th November 2004, 19:49

Originally Posted by Ghost Lemur

I've said it elsewhere, but the thing I'd really like to see is Rossi do the IOMTT, before they get rid of it.
THE WORLD NEEDS MORE STREET RACES.

I reckon the IOMTT has as much to do with the size of the riders cahonas as much as skill - one small slip up and you're screwed.

I bet a lot of top riders wouldn't go near the IOM because of the danger factor.

WTF - are the fun police going to can the IOMTT ???

It looks as if Western Springs Raceway is on borrowed time because the locals are complaining about the noise. Gee, its only been there since 1929 - if you move next to a racetrack WTF do you expect. House prices and rent would reflect the noise factor so whats the problem. Bloody NIMBY syndrome if you ask me.

The world is becoming too PC. Beam me up Scotty, this planet sux.

**cycosis** · 13th November 2004, 01:43

Melandri sux!As mentioned sete wont win till rossi goes ,and rossi is gonna clean up next year beta than this year.Until he goes we wont see another world champ

**gav** · 17th November 2004, 22:06

Originally Posted by Deano

I can't wait for Daniel Pedrosa (think thats right) to step up. He outpointed Rossi when he (Rossi) was in the 250 world championship and I don't really see anyone currently in MotoGP being able to beat Rossi.

Huh??? So Pedrosa scores more points in 250 so hes better than Rossi??