Melandri and Ducati to split before 2009

Marco Melandri and his Ducati Marlboro team have agreed to part ways by the end of this year, said the Italian rider's manager.

Melandri's deal with Ducati Corse was set to run for two years until the end of 2009, but the former 250cc champion has never felt comfortable with the Italian bike, with the best result so far being a fifth place in the Chinese MotoGP.

"The contract binding us to Ducati for 2009 has been resolved by mutual agreement, so no penalty will be applied," Melandri's manager Alberto Vergani told ANSA.

Vergani also confirmed that Melandri may be replaced at Ducati before the end of the season, after team boss Livio Suppo said that the rider was only '99% certain' to race for them at next week's US GP.

"Melandri might remain on hold while waiting for 2009," said Vergani.

Retired rider Sete Gibernau is rumoured to replace Melandri in a return to the Bologna-based team after testing successfully for the outfit at Mugello.

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