Melandri says he needs a miracle

The Italian will move to the World Superbike championship with Yamaha next season after a tough MotoGP campaign with Gresini Honda. He achieved his greatest MotoGP successes with the squad in the mid-2000s, but has found it hard to adapt to this year's Honda and has been outpaced by rookie team-mate Marco Simoncelli in the latter part of the season.

Although Melandri insists he has not given up, he admitted he has little confidence in his chances of turning things around in the final two rounds.

"I can't get a feel for the bike so it's hard for me to ride," he said. "It is a tough situation but I have not lost hope and at Estoril I will try again although I think we need a miracle.

"We'll see but I would love to finish the season with a good result."

Team boss Fausto Gresini said he still had faith in Melandri but was very frustrated with how the season had turned out.

"I am not happy with the current situation regarding Marco Melandri," Gresini said. "Unfortunately over the course of the season he has had a lot of difficulties understanding this bike and adapting it to his riding style.

"We have done everything possible to help him find a good feeling and we will continue to do so because we have always believed in the ability of Marco Melandri and we still believe in it now.

"I would be really happy if over these last two races he can pick up a good result and sign off from MotoGP at the top before taking on his next adventure."