The Aruba.it Ducati World Superbike team has confirmed Marco Melandri will partner Chaz Davies once again for the 2018 season.
Melandri made a welcome return to the World Superbike paddock after a year and a half on the sidelines following a dismal half-season with Aprilia in MotoGP in 2015.
Taking to the podium in just his second race on the Panigale at Phillip Island, Melandri continued to make regular rostrum appearances in the following rounds, before taking his first win at Misano in June – the 100th for Italy in WorldSBK.
While happy with how his first season back in WorldSBK has gone, Melandri admits his time away from racing has certainly hindered his performance at certain points.
However, he believes remaining with the same team and motorcycle next year will allow him to strive for greater things.
“I’m really happy for the opportunity to prolong the professional collaboration, which represented a new beginning in my career as a rider,” said Melandri.
“Together with Ducati and Aruba.it, we enjoyed some really memorable moments, while in other occasions I think my long break from racing affected our performance, so I’m sure there’s still plenty of room to improve.
“To this end, continuing with the same team and same bike represents the best possible opportunity to achieve higher goals.
“I’m ready to tackle a new season with more experience and confidence, and it’s a challenge that makes me incredibly happy.
“First of all, however, we need to finish the current championship as strongly as possible.
“With five rounds to go, we’ll always give our 100 percent and assess our performance in the end.”
Melandri sits fourth in the championship on 189 points – 37 adrift of team-mate Davies in third – ahead of this weekend’s German round at the Lausitzring.
