Melandri in one-man Kawasaki team

Marco Melandri in action for Ducati last season before he switched to Kawasaki

Italy's Marco Melandri will race in a new one-man MotoGP team this season after Kawasaki's decision to pull out of the sport was challenged.

The manufacturer cited the economic crisis for its decision to withdraw in January but Dorna, who hold commercial rights to the sport, threatened to sue.

American John Hopkins, who would have been Melandri's fellow rider in the usual two-man team, is without a ride.

The new season starts on 12 April with the Qatar Grand Prix.

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A Kawasaki spokesman said: "Kawasaki announces that after constructive talks between Kawasaki, Dorna and other involved parties, a new one-rider team will participate in the 2009 MotoGP championship season, with Marco Melandri as rider."

Melandri switched from Ducati to Kawasaki at the end of the 2008 campaign.

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