Marco Melandri signs with BMW

Ahead of today’s World Superbike round at Magny Cours, BMW Motorrad Motorsport has announced that they’ve signed up Marco Melandri to their team for next 2012 championship season.
Melandri along with Eugene Laverty were shocked to find out that Yamaha would be pulling out their factory effort at the end of 2011 which left them scrambling for a new ride.

The Italian received serious offers from Aprilia and BMW, but probably preferred taking up the better paying German offer (€ 800,000 has been rumored) over Aprilia who wanted to give him second rider status to avoid any conflict with long time rival Max Biaggi.

Melandri will be joining Leon Haslam (who re-confirmed for another season just last month) while Troy Corser is expected to retire at the end of the season.
“We are really looking forward to working with Leon and Marco,” said BMW Motorsport Director Bernhard Gobmeier.
“I am convinced we will have arguably the strongest rider’s line up in the Superbike World Championship field.
We are delighted to have two riders who are both hungry and experienced for the coming season.

That is the next important step for our team.
”“Marco has performed brilliantly this season, even during difficult periods.
He impressed us in his first season in the championship, and we are pleased to be able to welcome him into our team.
”Melandri made his World Superbike debut with Yamaha this season and immediately showed his talent on a production bike by taking wins at Donington Park, Brno and Motorland Aragon and he’s expected to take second overall in the championship standings.