Marco Melandri
"At the moment I'm working with Dorna and Michael Bartholemy, the former team manager, to realise the project of a private entry.
"We are late in re-organising the team: the technicians had already been left to go. On top of that, we need an agreement with Kawasaki for servicing the engines, a minimum of development, and the building of spare parts: at the moment there are only the 2009 bikes from the test in Australia.
"The idea is to be on track here (Losail) on March 1st with the others. We're going for that. I count on being able to be ready for the tests."
"I've accepted to race with a team that from being a works Kawasaki outfit becomes a satellite entry because I see a good atmosphere,"
"Bartholemy wants to do things right and the team will have highly-motivated technicians.
"I'll start the season with the will to make up for a very bad one. I know I won't be fighting to win the title or the Grands Prix, however I crave having fun on the bike. It will be difficult, not impossible.
"I didn't mind the character of Kawasaki's 2008 bike, while I don't know the 2009 one. But even if it's not competitive, if the team has faith in me that I'm ready to give my best."
"Hopkins has given up: in his opinion money is more important, while now we have to race for nothing, Im ready to invest in myself. I'll be alone."....