Struggling Melandri apologises to team

The Italian rider, enduring one of his worst weekends of a poor season, qualified in last place, over three seconds behind Ducati teammate Casey Stoner, on pole position.

Melandri apologised to his team for his performance and predicted a very difficult race tomorrow.

"I don't know what to say, except that I'm deeply sorry about being in a position that certainly isn't my usual one, nor it is obviously my bike's," said Melandri.

"We are all making a great effort but we haven't yet been able to find a solution to our problems, and tomorrow the race will be very tough."

Team boss Livio Suppo has said after yesterday's practice that the team would have to make a decision on Melandri if the Italian continued to struggle.

"You can't understand why Marco can't handle the bike. Even Guintoli has managed to improve. Three seconds away from Casey are too many," Suppo told Gazzetta dello Sport.

"Let's wait and see what happens in Germany and at Laguna Seca, where Melandri has shown good things. If the situation doesn't unblock, then we'll do something. But to change rider is always difficult."