Reuters Pictures 3 months ago

Superbike rider Marco Melandri and his girlfriend Manuela walk in the rain after paying their respects to Honda MotoGP rider Marco Simoncelli in Coriano, northern Italy October 26, 2011. Simoncelli, 24, was killed during the Grand Prix race at Sepang on October 23, 2011 when he lost...

Getty Images 4 months ago

IMOLA, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 25: Marco Melandri of Italy and Yamaha World Superbike Team prepares to start on the grid during the Race 1 of Superbike World Championship Round Eleven at Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari on September 25, 2011 in Imola, Italy.

Getty Images 4 months ago

IMOLA, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 25: Marco Melandri of Italy and Yamaha World Superbike Team and Federico Sandi of Italy and Althea Racing (R) heads down a straight at the end of the Race 2 of Superbike World Championship Round Eleven at Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari on September 25, 2011 in...

Getty Images 4 months ago

IMOLA, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 24: Marco Melandri of Italy and Yamaha World Superbike Team heads down a straight in pit during the qualifying practice of Superbike World Championship Round Eleven at Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari on September 24, 2011 in Imola, Italy.

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IMOLA, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 23: Marco Melandri of Italy and Yamaha World Superbike Team rounds the bend during the practice session of Superbike World Championship Round Eleven at Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari on September 23, 2011 in Imola, Italy.

Getty Images 4 months ago

IMOLA, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 22: Marco Melandri of Italy and Yamaha World Superbike Team looks on during an autograph signing session at the Paddock Show during the Superbike World Championship Round Eleven at Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari on September 22, 2011 in Imola, Italy.

Getty Images 5 months ago

MILAN, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 20: Manuela Raffaeta and Marco Melandri attend the 'Pirelli Corso Venezia' flagship store opening press conference on September 20, 2011 in Milan, Italy.

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Italian MotoGP riders Loris Capirossi of Ducati Marlboro Team (L), Valentino Rossi of Camel Yamaha Team (C) and Marco Melandri of Fortuna Honda (R) pose for the press after a press conference for the Japanese Grand Prix in Motegi, Tochigi Prefecture, 21 September 2006. Italian superstar...

Getty Images 5 months ago

Italian MotoGP riders (L-R) Marco Simoncelli of San Carlo Honda Gresini Team, Valentino Rossi of Fiat Yamaha Team, Marco Melandri of San Carlo Honda Gresini, Loris Capirossi of Rizla Suzuki Team and Andrea Dovizioso of Repsol Honda Team pose for a picture before the final pre-season test...

Getty Images 6 months ago

Italy's Marco Melandri (L) and Italy's Max Biaggi (R) compete during race 2 of the World Superbike Championship round nine at the Silverstone circuit, on July 31, 2011. Once again Spain's Carlos Checa won followed by Ireland's Eugene Laverty in 2nd place and Italy's Marco Melandri in 3rd.

Getty Images 6 months ago

Italy's Marco Melandri takes a corner during race 1 of the World Superbike Championship round nine at the Silverstone circuit, in central England on July 31, 2011.

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BRNO, CZECH REPUBLIC - JULY 10: Marco Melandri of Italy and Yamaha World Superbike Team celebrates the second place and sprays champagne on the podium at the end of Race 2 Superbike World Championship Round Eight in Brno Circuit on July 10, 2011 in Brno, Czech Republic.

Getty Images 7 months ago

BRNO, CZECH REPUBLIC - JULY 10: Marco Melandri of Italy and Yamaha World Superbike Team leads Max Biaggi of Italy and Aprilia Alitalia Racing Team during the Race 1 Superbike World Championship Round Eight in Brno Circuit on July 10, 2011 in Brno, Czech Republic.

AP Photo 7 months ago

Marco Melandri of Italy, right, rides to win 8th round race of the Superbike World Championship as his compatriot Max Biaggi, centre, and Carlos Checa of Spain, left, follow him in Brno, Czech Republic, on Sunday, July 10, 2011. Biaggi placed second, Checa placed third.

AP Photo 7 months ago

Marco Melandri of Italy rides to win 8th round race of the Superbike World Championship in Brno, Czech Republic, on Sunday, July 10, 20101 SLOVAKIA OUT.

AP Photo 7 months ago

Marco Melandri of Italy, right, is sprayed with champagne by his compatriot Max Biaggi after 2nd race of 8th round event of the Superbike World Championship in Brno, Czech Republic, on Sunday, July 10, 2011. Biaggi won the race, Melandri placed second.

Getty Images 7 months ago

BRNO, CZECH REPUBLIC - JULY 09: Marco Melandri of Italy and Yamaha World Superbike Team leads Joan Lascorz of Spain and Kawasaki Racing Team during the qualifying practice of Superbike World Championship Round Eight in Brno Circuit on July 9, 2011 in Brno, Czech Republic.

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BRNO, CZECH REPUBLIC - JULY 09: Marco Melandri of Italy and Yamaha World Superbike Team drinks before the qualifying practice of Superbike World Championship Round Eight in Brno Circuit on July 9, 2011 in Brno, Czech Republic.

Getty Images 7 months ago

BRNO, CZECH REPUBLIC - JULY 09: Marco Melandri of Italy and Yamaha World Superbike Team leads Leon Camier of Great Britain and Aprilia Alitalia Racing Team during the qualifying practice of Superbike World Championship Round Eight in Brno Circuit on July 9, 2011 in Brno, Czech Republic.

Getty Images 9 months ago

MONZA, ITALY - MAY 08: Marco Melandri of Italy and Yamaha World Superbike Team leads Troy Corser of Australia and BMW Motorrad Motorsport during Race 2 of Superbike World Championship Round Four in Misano Circuit on May 8, 2011 in Monza, Italy.

Getty Images 9 months ago

MONZA, ITALY - MAY 08: Marco Melandri of Italy and Yamaha World Superbike Team removes his helmet at the end of Race 2 of Superbike World Championship Round Four in Misano Circuit on May 8, 2011 in Monza, Italy.

Getty Images 9 months ago

MONZA, ITALY - MAY 08: (L-R) Eugene Laverty of Ireland and Yamaha World Superbike Team, Michel Fabrizio of Italy and Team Suzuki Alstare and Marco Melandri of Italy and Yamaha World Superbike Team celebrate on the podium and spray champagne at the end of the Race 2 of Superbike World Championship...

Getty Images 9 months ago

MONZA, ITALY - MAY 08: Marco Melandri of Italy and Yamaha World Superbike Team prepare to start on the grid for Race 2 of Superbike World Championship Round Four in Misano Circuit on May 8, 2011 in Monza, Italy.

Getty Images 9 months ago

MONZA, ITALY - MAY 07: Marco Melandri of Italy and Yamaha World Superbike Team proves the start at the end of the Qualifying of the Superbike World Championship Round Four in Monza Circuit on May 7, 2011 in Monza, Italy.

Getty Images 9 months ago

MONZA, ITALY - MAY 06: Marco Melandri of Italy and Yamaha World Superbike Team rounds the bend during the qualifying practice of Superbike World Championship Round Four in Monza Circuit on May 6, 2011 in Monza, Italy.