Kawasaki will compete in MotoGP this season with a one-man team featuring Italian driver Marco Melandri, the company announced yesterday.

The move comes after a January announcement that Kawasaki would suspend its factory supported team due to the economic crisis.

Melandri's team will be equipped with Kawasaki motorcycles and supporting materials.

Kawasaki said the new approach is a 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."

Riding for Ducati, Melandri finished 17th in last season's MotoGP standings. John Hopkins of the United States and Anthony West of Australia were Kawasaki's drivers last season.