Disappointed Melandri wants new parts

The Gresini rider first complained of not having the right feeling in the front of his Honda, then blamed the Japanese manufacturer for not having yet brought him new parts to try on his bike.

"I'm disappointed," Melandri explained to television channel Italia1. "As it happened in Qatar, while I lap alone everything goes well, while when I run with the others, fighting, I can't brake, I don't like the front of the bike.

"I try to brake hard but after three laps the front tyre is gone. I don't understand why: when I run alone it doesn't happen. Since the first test with this bike I've struggled a lot with the front, so we are trying to sort this out, but I've always left every circuit with great doubts about the front.

"It's a shame, because this morning I had thought we would have a good race, instead I really couldn't ride. After the first three laps I risked to fall at every turn.

"It was frustrating: after seeing myself going slow for two laps in which I struggled to ride, I understood I could only aim to finish the race."

The Italian will take part in tomorrow's post-race test at Jerez de la Frontera. Asked whether the session will be important for him, he replied: "Yes, we hope to have some new bits to try.

"I had already made some requests at the first 800cc test (at the end of October 2006 in Valencia), about parts I would have liked to try at the front, but I never tried anything different from what I already have.

"Let's hope this will change this time around. It's a shame, because I like this bike."