Honda MotoGP rider Marco Melandri of Italy puts on his headset during a practice session
at the Sepang circuit outside Kuala Lumpur October 8, 2010. The Malaysian MotoGP race will be held on Sunday. REUTERS/Bazuki Muhammad (MALAYSIA - Tags: SPORT MOTOR RACING) 

Honda MotoGP rider Marco Melandri of Italy rides during a practice session for the Japanese Grand Prix in Motegi October 1, 2010. REUTERS/Toru Hanai (JAPAN - Tags: SPORT MOTOR RACING) 

Yamaha MotoGP rider Valentino Rossi (L) of Italy pulls into the pit lane as compatriot Honda MotoGP rider Marco Melandri passes behind him during practice for the Indianapolis Grand Prix at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway August 27, 2010. REUTERS/Brent Smith (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT MOTOR RACING) 

Yamaha MotoGP rider Valentino Rossi (L) of Italy takes a curve ahead Honda rider Marco Melandri of Italy during the second free practice session of the Spanish Grand Prix in Jerez, southern Spain, May 1, 2010. World champion Valentino Rossi is nursing a bruised back and was fifth fastest after the first practice session for the Spanish MotoGP, but will be looking to be higher up the grid in qualifying on Saturday. REUTERS/Javier Barbancho (SPAIN - Tags: SPORT MOTOR RACING) 

Honda MotoGP rider Marco Melandri of Italy rides during a qualifying practice at the MotoGP World Championship at the Losail international circuit in Doha April 10, 2010. REUTERS/Fadi Al-Assaad (QATAR - Tags: SPORT MOTOR RACING) 

MotoGP riders from Italy, Loris Capirossi of Suzuki MotoGP, Marco Melandri of San Carlo Honda Gresini, Valentino Rossi of Fiat Yamaha MotoGP, Marco Simoncelli of San Carlo Honda Gresini, and Andrea Dovizioso of Repsol Honda (from L-R) pose for photographers before the start of the free practice session for the opening round of the MotoGP World Championship at the Losail International Circuit in Doha April 9, 2010. REUTERS/Fadi Al-Assaad (QATAR - Tags: SPORT MOTOR RACING) 

Honda MotoGP rider Marco Melandri of Italy sits in the pit during the 2010 pre-season test at Sepang circuit outside Kuala Lumpur February 26, 2010. REUTERS/Bazuki Muhammad (MALAYSIA - Tags: SPORT MOTOR RACING) 

Honda MotoGP rider Marco Melandri of Italy takes a corner during the 2010 pre-season test at Sepang circuit outside Kuala Lumpur February 25, 2010. REUTERS/Bazuki Muhammad (MALAYSIA - Tags: SPORT MOTOR RACING) 

Kawasaki MotoGP rider Marco Melandri (L) of Italy speaks to Team Aspar 250 Mapfre sporting manager Gino Borsoi at a go-kart track at Sepang circuit outside Kuala Lumpur October 22, 2009. Malaysian Motorcycle Grandprix will be held at Sepang International Circuit on Sunday. REUTERS/Bazuki Muhammad (MALAYSIA) 

Kawasaki MotoGP rider Marco Melandri of Italy gestures in the pits after the first free practice session of the Australian Grand Prix on Phillip Island October 16, 2009. REUTERS/Mick Tsikas (AUSTRALIA SPORT MOTOR RACING) 

Kawasaki MotoGP rider Marco Melandri (R) of Italy signs an autograph for a fan before practice for the Indianapolis Grand Prix at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway August 29, 2009. REUTERS/Brent Smith (UNITED STATES SPORT MOTOR RACING) 

Honda MotoGP rider Dani Pedrosa (L) of Spain leads Kawasaki MotoGP rider Marco Melandri of Italy down the main straightaway during practice for the Indianapolis Grand Prix at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway August 29, 2009. REUTERS/Brent Smith (UNITED STATES SPORT MOTOR RACING) 

Kawasaki MotoGP rider Marco Melandri of Italy competes during the German Grand Prix at the Sachsenring circuit, near the eastern German town of Hohenstein-Ernsthal, July 19, 2009. REUTERS/Thomas Peter (GERMANY SPORT MOTOR RACING) 

Kawasaki MotoGP rider Marco Melandri of Italy powers his bike during the second free practice for the German Grand Prix at the Sachsenring circuit, near the eastern German town of Hohenstein-Ernsthal, July 18, 2009. REUTERS/Thomas Peter (GERMANY SPORT MOTOR RACING) 

Kawasaki MotoGP rider Marco Melandri of Italy powers his bike during the second free practice for the German Grand Prix at the Sachsenring circuit, near the eastern German town of Hohenstein-Ernsthal, July 18, 2009. REUTERS/Thomas Peter (GERMANY SPORT MOTOR RACING) 

Kawasaki MotoGP rider Marco Melandri of Italy rides during the first free practice for the German Grand Prix at the Sachsenring circuit, near the eastern German town of Hohenstein-Ernsthal, July 17, 2009. REUTERS/Thomas Peter (GERMANY SPORT MOTOR RACING) 

Kawasaki MotoGP rider Marco Melandri of Italy talks with his team after practice rounds for the U.S. MotoGP at Laguna Seca Raceway near Salinas, California July 3, 2009. REUTERS/David Royal (UNITED STATES SPORT MOTOR RACING) 

Kawasaki MotoGP rider Marco Melandri of Italy takes a curve during the first free practice of the MotoGP motorcycling Italian Grand Prix at the Mugello circuit in central Italy May 29, 2009. REUTERSAlessandro Bianchi (ITALY SPORT MOTOR RACING) 

Kawasaki MotoGP rider Marco Melandri of Italy takes a curve during the first free practice of the MotoGP motorcycling Italian Grand Prix at the Mugello circuit in central Italy May 29, 2009. REUTERSAlessandro Bianchi (ITALY SPORT MOTOR RACING) 

Honda MotoGP rider Dani Pedrosa of Spain (L) takes a curve ahead of Kawasaki MotoGP rider of Italy Marco Melandri (R) during the French motorcycling Grand Prix at the Le Mans circuit in central France May 17, 2009. Jorge Lorenzo won the race ahead of Marco Melandri of Italy in second place and Dani Pedrosa of Spain in third. REUTERS/Olivier Pon (FRANCE SPORT MOTOR RACING) 

Kawasaki MotoGP rider Marco Melandri of Italy crosses the finish line to take second place in the French motorcycling Grand Prix at the Le Mans circuit in central France May 17, 2009. Jorge Lorenzo won the race ahead of Marco Melandri of Italy in second place and Dani Pedrosa of Spain in third. REUTERS/Olivier Pon (FRANCE SPORT MOTOR RACING) 

Yamaha MotoGP rider Jorge Lorenzo of Spain celebrates after crossing the finish line of the French motorcycling Grand Prix at the Le Mans circuit in central France May 17, 2009. Jorge Lorenzo won the race ahead of Marco Melandri of Italy in second place and Dani Pedrosa of Spain in third. REUTERS/Stephane Mahe (FRANCE SPORT MOTOR RACING) 

Honda MotoGP rider Dani Pedrosa (R) of Spain leads the pack during the French motorcycling Grand Prix at the Le Mans circuit in central France May 17, 2009. Jorge Lorenzo won the race ahead of second placed Marco Melandri of Italy and third placed Dani Pedrosa of Spain. REUTERS/Olivier Pon (FRANCE SPORT MOTOR RACING) 

MotoGP Marco Melandri of Italy rides his Kawasaki during the French motorcycling Grand Prix at the Le Mans circuit in central France May 17, 2009. Jorge Lorenzo won the race ahead of second placed Marco Melandri of Italy and third placed Dani Pedrosa of Spain. REUTERS/Stephane Mahe (FRANCE SPORT MOTOR RACING) 

Yamaha MotoGP rider Jorge Lorenzo of Spain (C) and Honda Moto GP rider Dani Pedrosa of Spain (R) celebrate after the French motorcycling Grand Prix at the Le Mans circuit in central France May 17, 2009. Jorge Lorenzo won the race ahead of second placed Marco Melandri of Italy and third placed Dani Pedrosa of Spain. . REUTERS/Olivier Pon (FRANCE SPORT MOTOR RACING) 

MotoGP rider Jorge Lorenzo of Spain rides his Yamaha during the French motorcycling Grand Prix at the Le Mans circuit in central France May 17, 2009. Jorge Lorenzo won the race ahead of second placed Marco Melandri of Italy and third placed Dani Pedrosa of Spain. REUTERS/Stephane Mahe (FRANCE SPORT MOTOR RACING) 

MotoGP rider Valentino Rossi of Italy rides his Yamaha after he fell during the French motorcycling Grand Prix at the Le Mans circuit in central France May 17, 2009. Jorge Lorenzo won the race ahead of second placed Marco Melandri of Italy and third placed Dani Pedrosa of Spain. REUTERS/Stephane Mahe (FRANCE SPORT MOTOR RACING) 

MotoGP rider Dani Pedrosa of Spain rides his Honda during the French motorcycling Grand Prix at the Le Mans circuit in central France May 17, 2009. Jorge Lorenzo won the race ahead of Marco Melandri of Italy in second place and Dani Pedrosa of Spain in third. REUTERS/Olivier Pon (FRANCE SPORT MOTOR RACING) 

MotoGP rider Valentino Rossi of Italy rides his Yamaha after he fell during the French motorcycling Grand Prix at the Le Mans circuit in central France May 17, 2009. Jorge Lorenzo won the race ahead of second placed Marco Melandri of Italy and third placed Dani Pedrosa of Spain. REUTERS/Stephane Mahe (FRANCE SPORT MOTOR RACING) 

MotoGP rider Jorge Lorenzo of Spain rides his Yamaha during the French motorcycling Grand Prix at the Le Mans circuit in central France May 17, 2009. Jorge Lorenzo won the race ahead of Marco Melandri of Italy in second place and Dani Pedrosa of Spain in third. REUTERS/Olivier Pon (FRANCE SPORT MOTOR RACING) 

MotoGP rider Jorge Lorenzo of Spain rides his Yamaha during the French motorcycling Grand Prix at the Le Mans circuit in central France May 17, 2009. Jorge Lorenzo won the race ahead of Marco Melandri of Italy in second place and Dani Pedrosa of Spain in third. REUTERS/Olivier Pon (FRANCE SPORT MOTOR RACING) 

Yamaha MotoGP rider Jorge Lorenzo (C) of Spain poses with Kawasaki MotoGP Marco Melandri of Italy (L) and Honda MotoGP Dani Pedrosa (R) after the French motorcycling Grand Prix at the Le Mans circuit in central France May 17, 2009. Jorge Lorenzo won the race ahead of Marco Melandri of Italy in second place and Dani Pedrosa of Spain in third. REUTERS/Stephane Mahe (FRANCE SPORT MOTOR RACING) 

MotoGP rider Jorge Lorenzo of Spain rides his Yamaha during the French motorcycling Grand Prix at the Le Mans circuit in central France May 17, 2009. Jorge Lorenzo won the race ahead of second placed Marco Melandri of Italy and third placed Dani Pedrosa of Spain. REUTERS/Olivier Pon (FRANCE SPORT MOTOR RACING) 

Yamaha MotoGP rider Jorge Lorenzo of Spain celebrates after crossing the finish line of the French motorcycling Grand Prix at the Le Mans circuit in central France May 17, 2009. Jorge Lorenzo won the race ahead of second placed Marco Melandri of Italy and third placed Dani Pedrosa of Spain. REUTERS/Stephane Mahe (FRANCE SPORT MOTOR RACING) 

MotoGP rider Jorge Lorenzo of Spain rides his Yamaha during the French motorcycling Grand Prix at the Le Mans circuit in central France May 17, 2009. Jorge Lorenzo won the race ahead of second placed Marco Melandri of Italy and third placed Dani Pedrosa of Spain. REUTERS/Olivier Pon (FRANCE SPORT MOTOR RACING) 

Yamaha MotoGP rider Jorge Lorenzo of Spain celebrates after the French motorcycling Grand Prix at the Le Mans circuit in central France May 17, 2009. Jorge Lorenzo won the race ahead of second placed Marco Melandri of Italy and third placed Dani Pedrosa of Spain. REUTERS/Stephane Mahe (FRANCE SPORT MOTOR RACING) 

Yamaha MotoGP rider Jorge Lorenzo of Spain leads the pack during the French motorcycling Grand Prix at Le Mans circuit in central France May 17, 2009. Lorenzo won the race ahead of Marco Melandri of Italy who was in second place and Dani Pedrosa of Spain in third. REUTERS/Olivier Pon (FRANCE SPORT MOTOR RACING IMAGES OF THE DAY) 

Yamaha MotoGP rider Jorge Lorenzo of Spain (C) poses with Kawasaki's Marco Melandri of Italy (L) and Honda's Dani Pedrosa after the French motorcycling Grand Prix at Le Mans circuit in central France May 17, 2009. Lorenzo won the race ahead of Marco Melandri who was in second place and Dani Pedrosa of Spain in third.REUTERS/Stephane Mahe (FRANCE SPORT MOTOR RACING) 

Yamaha MotoGP rider Jorge Lorenzo of Spain celebrates after the French motorcycling Grand Prix at the Le Mans circuit in central France May 17, 2009. Jorge Lorenzo won the race ahead of second placed Marco Melandri of Italy and third placed Dani Pedrosa of Spain. REUTERS/Olivier Pon (FRANCE SPORT MOTOR RACING) 

Kawasaki MotoGP rider Marco Melandri of Italy (L) applauds as Yamaha MotoGP rider Jorge Lorenzo of Spain (R) celebrates after the French motorcycling Grand Prix at Le Mans circuit in central France May 17, 2009. Lorenzo won the race ahead of Melandri who was in second place and Dani Pedrosa of Spain in third. REUTERS/Olivier Pon (FRANCE SPORT MOTOR RACING) 

Yamaha MotoGP rider Jorge Lorenzo of Spain celebrates after the French motorcycling Grand Prix at Le Mans circuit in central France May 17, 2009. Lorenzo won the race ahead of Marco Melandri of Italy who was in second place and Dani Pedrosa of Spain in third.REUTERS/Stephane Mahe (FRANCE SPORT MOTOR RACING) 

Yamaha MotoGP rider Jorge Lorenzo of Spain celebrates after the French motorcycling Grand Prix at Le Mans circuit in central France May 17, 2009. Lorenzo won the race ahead of Marco Melandri of Italy who was in second place and Dani Pedrosa of Spain in third. REUTERS/Stephane Mahe (FRANCE SPORT MOTOR RACING) 

Yamaha MotoGP rider Jorge Lorenzo of Spain celebrates after the French motorcycling Grand Prix at Le Mans circuit in central France May 17, 2009. Lorenzo won the race ahead of Marco Melandri of Italy who was in second place and Dani Pedrosa of Spain in third. REUTERS/Stephane Mahe (FRANCE SPORT MOTOR RACING) 

Yamaha MotoGP rider Jorge Lorenzo of Spain celebrates as he crosses the finish line of the French motorcycling Grand Prix at Le Mans circuit in central France May 17, 2009. Lorenzo won the race ahead of Marco Melandri of Italy who was in second place and Dani Pedrosa of Spain in third. REUTERS/Olivier Pon (FRANCE SPORT MOTOR RACING) 

Yamaha MotoGP rider Jorge Lorenzo of Spain celebrates as he crosses the finish line of the French motorcycling Grand Prix at Le Mans circuit in central France May 17, 2009. Lorenzo won the race ahead of Marco Melandri of Italy who was in second place and Dani Pedrosa of Spain in third. REUTERS/Stephane Mahe (FRANCE SPORT MOTOR RACING) 

Yamaha MotoGP rider Jorge Lorenzo of Spain celebrates as he crosses the finish line of the French motorcycling Grand Prix at Le Mans circuit in central France May 17, 2009. Lorenzo won the race ahead of Marco Melandri of Italy who was in second place and Dani Pedrosa of Spain in third. REUTERS/Olivier Pon (FRANCE SPORT MOTOR RACING) 

Ducati MotoGP rider Casey Stoner of Australia rides during the Japanese Grand Prix in Motegi, north of Tokyo April 26, 2009. Kawasaki MotoGP rider Marco Melandri of Italy is seen behind him. REUTERS/Issei Kato (JAPAN SPORT MOTOR RACING) 

Nasser bin Khalifa al Atyyah, head of Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation, talks with Kawasaki rider Marco Melandri (L) of Italy during the MotoGP World Championship at the Losail international circuit in Doha April 12, 2009. The season-opening Qatar MotoGP was postponed on Sunday because of adverse weather, race officials said. REUTERS/Fadi Al-Assaad (QATAR SPORT MOTOR RACING ) 

Kawasaki MotoGP rider Marco Melandri of Italy rides his bike during a free practice at the MotoGP World Championship at the Losail international circuit in Doha April 11, 2009. REUTERS/Fadi Al-Assaad (QATAR SPORT MOTOR RACING ) 

Moto GP riders pose for an official group picture for the upcoming season during a testing session at Jerez racetrack March 29, 2009. Riders are: (L-R bottom row) Nicky Hayden of the U.S., Casey Stoner of Australia, Valentino Rossi of Italy, Jorge Lorenzo of Spain and Andrea Dovizioso of Italy, (L-R, middle row) Sete Gibernau of Spain, Niccolo Canepa of Italy, Mika Kallio of Finland, Chris Vermeulen of Australia, Loris Capirossi of Italy and Randy de Puniet of France, (L-R, top row) Marco Melandri of Italy, Yuki Takahashi of Japan, Colin Edwards of the U.S., James Toseland of Britain, Toni Elias of Spain and Alex de Angelis of San Marino. REUTERS/Anton Meres (SPAIN SPORT MOTOR RACING) 

Ducati MotoGP rider Marco Melandri of Italy (R) talks to his crew during a practice session at Sepang International Circuit near Kuala Lumpur October 18, 2008. The Malaysian Grand Prix will be held on Sunday. REUTERS/Bazuki Muhammad (MALAYSIA) 

Ducati MotoGP rider Marco Melandri of Italy powers through a corner during a free practice session at the Sepang International Circuit near Kuala Lumpur October 17, 2008. The Malaysian Grand Prix will be held on Sunday. REUTERS/David Loh (MALAYSIA) 

Ducati MotoGP rider Marco Melandri of Italy poses with Malaysian traditional dancers at the Sepang International Circuit near Kuala Lumpur October 16, 2008. The Malaysian Grand Prix will be held on Sunday. REUTERS/Zainal Abd Halim (MALAYSIA) 

Ducati MotoGP rider Marco Melandri of Italy adjusts his earplugs in the pits area during the first free practice session of the Australian Grand Prix at Phillip Island October 3, 2008.
REUTERS/Mick Tsikas (AUSTRALIA) 

Ducati MotoGP rider Marco Melandri of Italy takes a curve during the third free practice session for the San Marino Grand Prix at the Misano racetrack August 30, 2008. REUTERS/Giampiero Sposito (ITALY) 

Ducati MotoGP rider Marco Melandri of Italy takes a curve during the second practice session for the San Marino Grand Prix at Misano racetrack August 29, 2008. REUTERS/Giampiero Sposito (ITALY) 

Manuela Raffaeta, girlfriend of Ducati MotoGP rider Marco Melandri, sits in the box during the first practice session for the San Marino Grand Prix at Misano racetrack August 29, 2008. REUTERS/Giampiero Sposito (ITALY) 

Manuela Raffaeta, girlfriend of Ducati MotoGP rider Marco Melandri, sits in the box during the first practice session for the San Marino Grand Prix at Misano racetrack August 29, 2008. REUTERS/Giampiero Sposito (ITALY) 

Ducati MotoGP rider Marco Melandri of Italy rides during free practice at the Catalunya Grand Prix at 'Circuit de Catalunya' racetrack in Montmelo, near Barcelona June 7, 2008. REUTERS/Albert Gea (SPAIN) 

Ducati MotoGP rider Marco Melandri (R) of Italy and Honda MotoGP rider Randy de Puniet of France are helped after crashing during the Italian Grand Prix at Mugello June 1, 2008. REUTERS/Marco Bucco (ITALY)