Melandri concludes brief Yamaha career with a win
Marco Melandri concluded his brief Yamaha WSBK career with a win on Sunday in the final race in the 2011 championship. The Italian, who finished runner-up behind Carlos Checa, was determined to take the second place slot with an impressive performance in the second encounter at the Algarve circuit. Sixth in race 1, Melandri was battling in the leading group with team-mate Eugene Laverty, Jonathan Rea (Castrol Honda), Checa (Althea Racing) and Sylvain Guintoli (Effenbert - Liberty Racing), but he was able to take the win in the end.
With his fourth win of the year, Melandri bade the best possible farewell to the Yamaha World Superbike Team, which had announced its decision to withdraw from the series earlier in the season. This year the Yamaha World Superbike team has claimed an amazing 19 podiums of which six race victories with two WSB rookie riders, Yamaha taking the second place in the 2011 World Superbike Manufacturer's standings with a total of 450 points and the top team in the Team standings.
'It was a fantastic race win and end to the championship. The bike was working well and I really wanted one more win before finishing up the season. I would have liked a double but race one didn't go so well. I got a good start and was planning on waiting a few laps before pushing harder and fighting for a win but unfortunately the rear tyre was gone by mid race I had very little grip and just couldn't keep pushing. The team has worked really hard all year and I'd like to thank them and everyone at Yamaha for the amazing season together and for all their help and support in the tough time since YME decided to withdraw at the end of this year.'
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