Melandri: "Rossi? Aliens don't exist"
Wednesday, 21 September 2011 22:55
Sometimes in life you simply need a change of scenery to turn things around, and that is exactly what has happened for Marco Melandri. After winning a 250cc world championship and showing tremendous promise in MotoGP, things suddenly veered off track for the Italian, and so he looked to the production based series to find his footing once again.
Marco, what did the switch to WSBK mean for you personally?
"It was a big change, an important one, and also a pleasurable one. When I'm able to be fast on the bike and have fun in my personal life, I'm much more relaxed. Motorcycle racing is my life. I came to Superbike to rediscover the adrenaline and joy of winning, and that's exactly what happened."
Even your relationship with the fans has changed.
"It's great to participate in the Paddock Show after the races, and to sign autographs for the fans on Thursdays. I remember how exciting it was to meet riders when I was a kid, and now it's a beautiful feeling to give that same emotion to other people."
Is there anything you miss about MotoGP?
“Absolutely not.”
But the ghosts of your past are still haunting you: Rossi's comments about the Ducati sound very similar to the ones you made, no?
"I don't follow what Valentino says, but I watch the races and it's clear that he's struggling. Aliens don't exist, and riders are human beings too. There are a combination of factors which really make a difference. Good and bad bikes don't exist, what matters is how confident the bike allows you to be. Once you feel comfortable, then the results will come. If you can't trust the bike it doesn't matter how much you have won in the past, you won't do well. What I don't like is that, during my time at Ducati, people were only questioning me, not the bike. I don't think Valentino is comfortable right now. He is going slower than he did at the start of the season, even though they have changed the bike three times and he is fully healthy now. That's not normal, but nobody is asking why, which seems wrong to me."
Let's talk 2012: Yamaha or BMW?
"I don't know, and I have heard just about every rumor possible. One day it's Aprilia, the next it's Yamaha, and then the next it's BMW. I can also say that Suzuki has contacted me, and we have even spoken to Kawasaki. What's important for me is to understand what Yamaha is planning to do. They promised to make a proposal to me at Imola."
Is time running out for a decision?
"I want to know my future plans before Magny Cours, so I can start preparing everything before the Portimao post-race tests."
Can you compete on a private team?
"Development is fundamental, and a team will struggle without some kind of manufacturer support. For us, who still have a gap to close on the leaders, the help of Yamaha Japan is fundamental."
What are you lacking this season?
"Checa's advantage this year came from his ability to use the softer tires. In cooler temperatures the 4-cylinder bikes were tearing up the tires, while he could make them last the entire race. That was our biggest limitation. I think we currently have more room for improvement mechanically than electronically."
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