Melandri allowed to use old parts

The Italian rider has not been entirely happy with this year's RC212V bike and, after testing with the older front fork, he is happier with the new 800cc machine.

"Marco is an important rider for Honda," Melandri's team boss Fausto Gresini was quoted as saying by Italian magazine Motosprint.

"Up to now we've wanted to follow Honda's directives, because on a new project, to use the 2006 fork is a step backwards.

"However, Marco says he likes it more so now he gets it. I'm confident that we've taken the right route."

Gresini believes that this weekend's Grand Prix will be crucial for Melandri, who has won both of the previous two races at the Istanbul Park circuit.

"Turkey will be a bit of an acid test for us," he said. "If it goes well there, then we can think it will go well throughout the season.

"Otherwise we'll have to expect intermittent performances. Melandri is a great talent, however he doesn't manage to fully extract his potential all the time."

Melandri is currently fifth in the MotoGP standings, having finished fifth and eighth in the first two races of the year.