`` 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 . Honda will run Italian Melandri in a one - bike team in 2009 MotoGP season . The move comes after manufacturer announced it was ending MotoGP racing . Italian Melandri moved to Yamaha from Honda at the end of the 2008 season .
Honda will run Italian Melandri in a one - bike team in 2009 MotoGP season . The move comes after manufacturer announced it was ending MotoGP racing . Italian Melandri moved to Yamaha from Honda at the end of the 2008 season .