Should Ducati replace Marco now, and if so, with who? [merged]

Article by Kropotkin from www.motogpmatters.com/ posted 12 July.
That Marco Melandri is unlikely to sit out the 2nd year of his contract with Ducati in 2009 was an open secret. But now, that open secret has become something akin to a public announcement. Alberto Vergani, Melandri's manager, told GPOne.com's Alberto Cani that Melandri will not be with Ducati for 2009. The Italian's contract with Ducati allows the contract to be dissolved by mutual consent with no financial penalty, despite rumors to the contrary. And with Melandri in his current form, there can be no doubt that the consent will be very much mutual.
Vergani had other interesting things to say to Cani. When asked about Melandri's future, Vergani stated that the most likely option for the Italian is a return to Fausto Gresini's satellite Honda squad, where Gresini continues to be a great admirer of Melandri. He confirmed that Kawasaki has also expressed an interest in Melandri, but denied that Melandri could end up on a Kawasaki before the 2008 season is over.
On the question of whether Melandri could quit Ducati before the season is out, Vergani was clear: "Our intention remains to finish the season with Ducati. Marco wants to tackle the problems he's been having, it's a question of saving his honor," Melandri's manager said. This does not mean that Melandri will not leave before the season is out: "That is, if Ducati doesn't have other ideas."
http://www.gpone.com/news/News.asp?NNews=2391 ITALIAN ITEM
Vergani: “Melandri libero dalla Ducati per il 2009”l Sachsenring Alberto Vergani, manager di Marco Melandri, ha fatto chiarezza sul futuro del pilota ravennate: “Ad Assen abbiamo toccato il punto più basso dell’anno, ma la nostra intenzione rimane quella di finire la stagione con la Ducati. Marco vuole affrontare il problema, vogliamo salvare l’onore. – ha spiegato – Se, poi, la nostra volontà non coinciderà con quella della Ducati, ne prenderemo atto”.

Avete vagliato delle alternative, nell’eventualità che la Ducati decida di sostituire Marco dopo il Gran Premio degli Stati Uniti?
“Potrebbe anche rimanere fermo aspettando il 2009”.

Ci sono possibilità che possa accasarsi alla Kawasaki?
“No, non credo”.

Riguardo al 2009, invece, com’è la situazione? Quello che è sicuro è che Marco non sarà in Ducati, è così?
“Sì, il contratto che ci legava alla Ducati anche per il 2009 è stato risolto di comune accordo, quindi senza alcuna penale. Questo va detto per chi crede che Marco sia qui per soldi”.

Quali sono quindi le possibilità in chiave 2009?
“Le ipotesi più probabili sono chiaramente il team di Fausto Gresini, che rimane un grande estimatore di Marco, e questo ci fa molto piacere, e la Kawasaki, che non ha mai nascosto di volerlo con sé”.

Alberto Cani

GOOGLE TRANSLATION OF ITALIAN INTERVIEW (for the sake of accuracy)


"Melandri free from Ducati for 2009" the Sachsenring Alberto Vergani, manager of Marco Melandri, made clear on the future of the pilot Ravenna: "At Assen we touched the lowest point of the year, but our intention remains to finish the season with Ducati. Marco wants to tackle the problem, we want to save the honour. -- He explained - If, then, we will not coincide with that of Ducati, will take place. "

You have explored alternatives, in the event Ducati decides to replace Marco after the United States Grand Prix?
"It could also remain detained awaiting the 2009".

There are possibilities that could accasarsi Kawasaki?
"No, I do not think."

About 2009, however, as the situation? What is sure is that Mark will not be Ducati, is so?
"Yes, the contract that we also linked to Ducati for 2009 was resolved by mutual agreement, and then without penalty. This needs to be said for those who believe that Mark is here for money. "

What are the possibilities in a 2009?
"The most likely hypothesis is clearly the team Fausto Gresini, which remains a great admirer of Mark, and this makes us very happy, and Kawasaki, who has never hidden want with it."

[leopard]

This has came to an anxiety that riders look at their neighbor’s grass is green, Gressini is probably a place for Melandri feels homey than his current home.

Otherwise Kawasaki can provide another bike, they feel that they will always want West to be alongside Hopkins. Going back at gressini might be another option left, Alonso does not find out the same Renault as he ever drove for the win, because some have belief that once you go BLVCK you never come back