Melandri 'renews with Yamaha for 2012'

Marco Melandri has pledged his commitment to the World Superbike Championship by revealing he has signed on with Yamaha for another season.

The former MotoGP runner-up made the switch to the production-based series after a lengthy spell in the grand prix paddock and has promptly established himself as a title contender with Yamaha.

After eight rounds and three wins, earning him a current third position in the overall standings, Melandri has reiterated his desire to stay in the championship for the foreseeable future, telling Italian publication Motosprint that he will be in Superbikes next season.

"Yes, next year I'll still be here in Superbike," he said. "After changing four bikes and four teams in the last four years I am very happy to be able to build something that will last rather than having to start over again every time."

With Melandri's team-mate Eugene Laverty also contracted for 2012, Yamaha will head into next season with an unchanged rider line-up for the first time since Troy Corser and Noriyuki Haga were retained for 2008.