Marco Melandri with Aprilia WSBK in 2014, Laverty Goes MotoGP in 2015

Marco Melandri will be riding and Aprilia RSV4 in 2014, at least this is what he twitted on his official account.

Melandri and Chaz Davies have become free riders after BMW decided to quite their operations in World Superbike after the 2013 season ended, putting an end to their collaboration with GoldBet SBK, too.

Davies inked a 2-year contract with Ducati’s factory team, and now it’s time for his former team mate to sign for a factory team. Marco Melandri will most likely replace Eugene Laverty, who may be riding for the FIXI Crescent Suzuki team next year, planning to step up in MotoGP with Suzuki in 2015.

This makes Melandri the new team mate of Sylvain Guintoli, who ended the 2013 season in third. Melandri has also tested the RSV4 last week at Jerez and according to WorldSBK, he was extremely happy with the bike: “It was amazing, when I went back to the pits, especially after the first run, I was truly happy and I felt like I finally found something I have been looking for a long time. I tried to hide it, though. The bike seems to suit my riding style very well and its compact size allowed me to find a good riding position almost immediately,” the Italian added.

Melandri’s next test will be in 10 days’ time at Motorland Aragon, November 14-15.

❐ Check out the Marco Melandri photo gallery

http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&usg=AFQjCNFqvP-SIpowt2HBabuyM-CwHnKD5g&url=http://www.autoevolution.com/news/marco-melandri-with-aprilia-wsbk-in-2014-laverty-goes-motogp-in-2015-70229.html