WSBK – Melandri back in World Superbike 2020 … Aprilia and Ponsson too! – Pre-owned APRILIA DUCATI

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Melandri back in World Superbike 2020 … Aprilia and Ponsson too !

WSBK - Melandri back in World Superbike 2020 ... Aprilia and Ponsson too! - Pre-owned APRILIA DUCATI

Badly injured in the shoulder this winter, Leon Camier prefers to throw in the towel and sell his Ducati Panigale V4R to Marco Melandri! And that’s not all: Aprilia is also back in WSBK, with our young compatriot, Christophe Ponsson.

One of the most talented English motorcycle riders – but also the most pungent – will be replaced by one of the most talented Italian riders – but also the most inconsistent – within the Ducati Barni team in World Superbike this season 2020.

Wounded twice in a row to the shoulder – last year and this winter – Leon Camier forfeited the opening round of the 2020 World Superbike championship in Australia. Grateful to the Italian team, he now wants to be honest…

  • World Superbike 2020 :
  • GP 1998 – WSBK 2019 :

After confinement due to Covid-19, "Lionne Kamir" was able to resume training "as always, in close consultation with my doctors". While he felt no discomfort riding his supermoto, "during the Misano test at the end of June, I again began to feel my shoulder" at the controls of his Panigale V4R.

Although her doctor assures her that her shoulder – her nerve or muscle stuck? – could be repaired by the resumption in Jerez in two weeks, the No.2 agreed with his Italian team that it was better to extend his recovery period…

WSBK - Melandri back in World Superbike 2020 ... Aprilia and Ponsson too! - Pre-owned APRILIA DUCATI

"I can understand that it is difficult for the team and its sponsors to have confidence again in a medical opinion when in the last seven months the forecasts were wrong, said the 2009 British Superbike champion, who rode nine times on the podium in WSBK but never at the top.

The former teammate of Max Biaggi at Aprilia (in 2010 and 2011) and sole MV Agusta driver (from 2015 to 2017) must therefore give up his Ducati: because of the reduced and condensed 2020 calendar, "we could not take more risks ", regrets boss Marco Barnabo.

WSBK - Melandri back in World Superbike 2020 ... Aprilia and Ponsson too! - Pre-owned APRILIA DUCATI

"This choice protects the interests of the team and everyone who works on it, and also gives the driver plenty of time to recover. I have no doubts that Leon will be able to get through this period and come back soon to demonstrate his talent," positive the Italian boss who called on one of his compatriots to take over.

Ciao Marco, what are you planning this summer ?

While he thought he had definitely hung up, Marco Melandri was convinced to come out of his peaceful retirement: "not having had the chance to drive the Ducati Panigale V4R was a regret and now the opportunity presents itself", the former Ducati official is surprised (on the last Twin Panigale).

"This championship will only have six events, all in Europe, on circuits that I love, so it will only be a limited effort and condensed in time", approves the 37-year-old driver, former GP250 champion (2002 ) and vice-champion of GP125 (1999), MotoGP (2005) and WSBK (2011).

WSBK - Melandri back in World Superbike 2020 ... Aprilia and Ponsson too! - Pre-owned APRILIA DUCATI

However, the famous n ° 33 will not be without pressure: "I am aware that I will have a winning motorcycle and the best parts, which is why I would also like to thank Claudio Domenicali, Paolo Ciabatti, Gigi Dall’Igna and the whole Ducati team for this opportunity ".

Le Herisson de Ravennes observes at the same time that unlike the official Panigales piloted by Chaz Davies and Scott Redding equipped with Ohlins suspensions, his Panigale will be mounted in Showa, a brand with which he has "always felt good" in MotoGP … and with which Rea and Kawasaki stack the titles !

WSBK - Melandri back in World Superbike 2020 ... Aprilia and Ponsson too! - Pre-owned APRILIA DUCATI

"After all that happened, we needed an experienced driver who already knew the circuits, the tires and the championship," explains Marco "Barni", quite proud of his shot … of Poker? think that in a strange scenario like this he can be an asset and Ducati also supported us in this choice ".

More good news for Italian World Superbike fans: an Aprilia RSV4 will mingle with Kawasaki ZX-10RR, Ducati Panigale V4R, Yamaha YZF-R1, BMW S1000RR and Honda CBR1000RR-R on five dates of this not-so-funny championship 2020, turned upside down by the Covid-19.

WSBK - Melandri back in World Superbike 2020 ... Aprilia and Ponsson too! - Pre-owned APRILIA DUCATI

Winner of the Superstock 1000 Cup in 2015 with Aprilia and its young protege Lorenzo Savadori, the Nuova M2 Racing team is particularly proud to extend and amplify its partnership with the Noale factory which deserted the World Superbike at the end of 2018 … for the better. focus on MotoGP.

  • WorldSBK 2015 :
  • MotoGP 2018 :

Good news for French fans of the World Superbike finally, this totally unexpected RSV4 will be driven by Christophe Ponsson! Second in the Spanish Superbike Championship last year on a Yamaha R1, the n ° 23 will ride this year in the Italian championship … and in the world !

"I am very happy to join the WorldSBK paddock this year with Aprilia", rejoices the soon-to-25-year-old Lyon. "It’s a great opportunity for me to compete in the world championship with such a team. Aprilia has an amazing ride on the bike, and being able to race the RSV4 in WorldSBK is very special." Forza Christophe !

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