( CNN ) -- Kawasaki have announced they will run Marco Melandri in a one-bike team in the 2009 MotoGP world championship . Italian Melandri will be the sole Kawasaki rider in the 2009 MotoGP championship . The news comes just weeks after the Japanese manufacturer confirmed it was to end its MotoGP activities due to the economic downturn . A statement confirmed the team 's return to the sport comes in the wake of `` constructive talks between Kawasaki , MotoGP organisers and other involved parties '' . `` This decision was made after negotiations that followed Kawasaki 's January 2009 announcement to suspend its MotoGP activities due to the economic crisis , '' the statement continued . `` The rider for the new MotoGP team will be Marco Melandri . The team will be equipped with Kawasaki motorcycles and supporting materials . `` That Kawasaki have come to this new team approach is the result of , on the one hand , the need for a strong reduction of MotoGP racing investments and , on the other hand , the necessity to come to constructive solutions for all related parties . '' Melandri moved to Kawasaki from Ducati at the end of what was a dismal 2008 season for the Italian , but shortly afterwards was told his new team would not be on the grid in 2009 . While the 26-year-old has earned a welcome reprieve , the man who would have been Melandri 's team-mate this season , American John Hopkins , appears set for an extended spell on the sidelines .
Kawasaki will run Marco Melandri in a one-bike team in 2009 MotoGP season . The news comes after manufacturer revealed it was ending MotoGP activities . Italian Melandri moved to Kawasaki from Ducati at the end of the 2008 season .