MotoGP racer Marco Melandri is to switch to four wheels next month when he joins the N.Technology team for the annual Bologna Motor Show Eurotouring event.

Melandri, who will join Ducati next season, will drive an Alfa Romeo 156 alongside Briton James Thompson, who finished third in the World Touring Car Championship this season despite running on a shoe-string budget compared to rivals from manufacturers BMW, SEAT and Chevrolet.

Melandri finished third last season while N.Technology won the event back in 2006, with the two-wheeled star keen to try and secure more success for the Italian squad this time around.

“I'm really looking forward to repeating last year's experience,” he said. “I was in a car from the Italian Touring Car Championship and this year I get to drive the official N.Technology World Touring Car Championship car, with James Thompson who finished third in the championship. It's pretty good!

“I hope I can finish at the top again, although some of the regulations have changed for this year, we will be running on slick tyres whereas last year was on wet-weather tyres. The aim is still to enjoy ourselves and put on a great show for the spectators though!”