Forward partners up with MV Agusta in WSBK, WSS

Forward Racing and MV Agusta have agreed a partnership which sees the Swiss team takeover its World Superbike and World Supersport championship challengers, with Marco Melandri announced as test rider.

Forward Racing, who currently competes in MotoGP and Moto2 with Yamaha and Kalex machinery respectively, is set to make its debut in the world production bike championships after securing the Italian manufacturer for next season.

The team has confirmed to Crash.net the partnership brings an end to its MotoGP commitments but will maintain its Moto2 squad, having re-signed Lorenzo Baldassari for 2016 last month.

Melandri, who split from Aprilia's MotoGP squad over the summer, has been confirmed as an official test rider with the responsibility of working on the 2016 F4 RC machine.

The announcement marks the former 250cc world champion's return to the team having competed for Forward in 2009 - then called Hayate Racing Team - in MotoGP with Kawasaki machinery, with the highlight of a second place finish at the French MotoGP at Le Mans.

Forward Racing chairman, Giovanni Cuzari, will become the Team Principal of both the Forward MV Agusta WSBK and WSS teams and will oversee the whole MV Agusta racing department. The Italian says he is thrilled to secure the prestigious manufacturer and has hinted at the ultimate goal of taking them into MotoGP in the future.

"I'm really pleased to announce that an agreement has been found with MV Agusta," Cuzari said. "For a long time we have been aiming to cooperate with an important manufacturer and we have finally succeeded. Working with one of the most iconic brand of Italian motorcycling is a great honour and a privilege for me.

"MV Agusta represents the best the 'Made in Italy' can offer and this collaboration will surely be a great growth opportunity for all in order to reach the top of WSBK and to aim for MotoGP.

"I am also proud of sealing this agreement with Giovanni Castiglioni, longtime friend of mine as was his father Claudio. Giovanni, who together with his family brought back the name of this historical reality from Varese, has put his trust on me and on the experience of our group and I am convinced we can achieve the goals we set ourselves."

Current World Superbike MV Agusta rider Leon Camier has been confirmed for 2016 but it is not yet clear whether he will compete under the Forward Racing banner.

In World Supersport, Lorenzo Zanetti, Nico Terol and Alex Baldolini have just completed season on MV Agusta RC F3 675 machinery.