Melandri puzzled over usual problems

The Italian has often complained of lack of feeling at the front this year, but after blaming Honda for not supporting him enough, his bike was fitted with his preferred 2006-specification front fork for the Turkish Grand Prix.

Today's qualifying, however, suggests that the problems aren't over for Melandri, with the Team Gresini rider qualifying in a lowly 14th place.

"It's hard. I don't have excuses: I can't feel the bike so I can't ride it," a visibly downbeat Melandri told TV channel Italia 1.

"I can't get the bike to turn. I tried to go quick twice yesterday, but fell twice like a rookie. When I tried to go quick today I always went wide and made mistakes. We are not sorted.

"The real problem is that I don't understand what the problem is. Honestly, I can't figure where the problem lies. I tried to raise the bike, to lower it, to make the suspensions harder and softer.

"I can feel the tyres working fine, but I can't manage to be quick. I can't turn. On quick turns I close the gas more with the 800cc than I used to with the 1000cc. I'm definitely slower over the longer distances too."

Melandri last year won the race in Istanbul Park after qualifying in 14th place. He doesn't expect the race to unfold in the same way this year, however.

"I don't know, it's hard to even explain it. Last year it was different. It rained during qualifying, so that went badly for a precise reason, and in race I was quick. This year I'm not quick at all.

"It demonstrates a bit what I said before: I don't think I've got stupid all of a sudden and can't ride anymore. I think it's paramount to have the right feeling with the bike and the tyres.

"At the moment I can't understand where to improve, I can't understand what isn't working, but if the bike doesn't give you confidence, you can't manage to be quick.

"The tyres are fine, I don't think there's a problem with the tyres. We need to try something different the day after tomorrow.

"We tested a lot but the feeling I have is always the same; maybe one time I feel the front light, the next heavy, but the problem is always that I can't turn.

"As I've said, I have no excuses. I don't know where the problems come from and I don't know how to solve them.

"I'm sure I'll set the lap record on Monday, which is completely useless to you, and in fact makes you even madder like in Jerez. For now let's just try to think of some ideas for tomorrow."