Melandri: Kawasaki will suit my style

The Italian has endured a miserable year with Ducati, struggling to get the GP8 to his liking all year long.

Melandri announced he will leave Ducati at the end of the season to join Kawasaki, who have also endured a difficult year themselves.

But Melandri admits he is looking forward to the challenge and is convinced he will not have the same problems to adapt to the bike.

"It will be easier to criticise me than to agree with my decision," Melandri was quoted as saying by Gazzetta dello Sport. "But I liked Kawasaki already in 2007, and I think they have great growth potential.

"It's a bike that suits my riding style well. It will be difficult, but I know that with Kawasaki I will finally be able to work for myself, and that's something I've never done before."

He added: "I would have gone back to Fausto (Gresini) for the human relationship, but I'm convinced of this challenge at Kawasaki: if you finish third with a Honda then it's normal, but if you go quick with the Ninja then it means you've worked well."