To halt Mugello droughtMarco Melandri has some unfinished business to attend to at his home grand prix next weekend, having never taken a podium finish in his four MotoGP visits to Mugello.
At a race which has traditionally been dominated by local riders, the former
250cc World Champion has as yet only managed a highest position of fourth back in 2005.
The Gresini Honda rider might be doing a rain dance in attempt to increase his chances of a rostrum place, having taken his first podium of the season in the wet last week at Le Mans. Melandri was also the winner of the first ever flag-to-flag race in Australia last year, and followed that up with what was until the Alice Grand Prix de France his most recent podium finish. He continues to experience much-publicised problems onboard the Honda RC212V, something which he repeated after his second place at Le Mans.
“I would love to get on the podium at Mugello, because it is something that I haven't managed before”, commented Melandri.
“I hope that this result in France serves as an impetus for HRC to give me a little something for the race in Italy,” was the subtle parting dig by the former World Championship runner up."
DORNA / CAPSIS International
