Marco Melandri has put the pre-Xmas clean-up surgery he underwent on his right shoulder behind him and the Yamaha team's new signing for the 2011 season is now focusing almost entirely on getting fit and ready for his debut season in World Superbike. The former 125 and 250 cc champion is currently resting at home but is doing one hour's training per day on an exercise bike.

Melandri's chief aim is to get in the best possible condition in time for the opening round of the season at Phillip Island on February 27, but he is also hoping to be fit to ride during the collective Infront Motor Sports tests at Portimao at the end of this month.

The Italian's first outings on a Yamaha Superbike at Valencia and Phillip Island revealed his immediate desire to be one of the front-runners in this new adventure. And via his Twitter profile page, Melandri confirmed that on Friday the next stage of his rehabilitation programme will see him switch from the exercise bike to the swimming-pool.