Although he still remains focussed on completing the 2008 campaign with current employees Ducati Marlboro, former 250cc World Champion Marco Melandri has claimed that he is to join Kawasaki at the end of this season.
Following his move to the Ducati factory team from satellite outfit Honda Gresini last winter Melandri has experienced an abrupt downturn in form and it was confirmed last month that he would not stay with the Italian manufacturers beyond 2008.
Since then Melandri has been in discussions with other teams and has made his mind up that Kawasaki is the right move.
The 26-year-old, who only joined Ducati at the start of the year, has had a poor season and is 15th in the standings following Sunday’s Czech Grand Prix.
“I hope to get good results in the last six races of 2008 and after that I am moving to another team. I will ride for Kawasaki next year so its a big change for me,” he said.
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