In the 2002 World Motorcycle Grand-Prix season, bikes with 2-stroke 500cc engines raced alongside bikes with 4-stroke 990cc engines. The result of this new format was as everyone expected it to be, 4-stroke engine bikes like Repsol Honda RC211V dominated. Its V5 engine, the first to ever be employed on a motorcycle, further enhanced the Repsol Honda RC211V. The fuel tank was placed below the seat, and the bike employed Honda's all-new "Unit Pro-Link" suspension design. Packed with revolutionary mechanics, and painted over in flourescent orange, the Repsol Honda RC211V was definitely the bike of the 21st century. From the opening race Valentino Rossi took a 9 consecutive victory sweep. Out of a 16 race series Rossi clutched his 10th victory by the 12th race in Brazil, leaving all competition in the dust, as the Italian rider became the first ever winner in the Moto GP class.

Pictured here is a 1:12 scale replica of a 2006 Honda RC211V Team Fortuna Honda MotoGP Bike driven by Marco Melandri. This gorgeous replica features a working suspension and removable fairings that reveals an extremely detailed engine. Also includes a detachable kickstand. Now in stock!

Dimensions:
Length: 7 inches
Height: 3.50 inches

Release Date: May 2008

Historical Account: "Marco, Polo" - Born on August 7th, 1982 in Ravenna, Italy, Marco Melandri is a MotoGP road racer currently racing for the factory Ducati Marlboro Team. Melandri is also a former 250cc World Champion in 2002. Melandri currently lives 2 miles away from the famous race track, Donington Park, Derbyshire, England.

After securing the 250cc world title in 2002, Melandri moved up to MotoGP class to spearhead Yamaha factory team alongside Carlos Checa in 2003. Unfortunately he broke his leg in a heavy crash in this first race meeting, and struggled to succeed for the rest of the season. He finished the season in 15th position without collecting any podiums.

He joined Yamaha satellite team, Tech 3 in 2004 alongside Carlos Checa again. This season, he again struggled to get top results. However, he managed to collect 2 consecutive podiums, but a series of crashes and retirements kept him out of top 10 in overall standings. He finished the season in 12th position.

Released from his Yamaha contract after the 2004 season, Melandri was the surprise choice of boss Fausto Gresini to join Sete Gibernau in the Movistar Honda team for the 2005 MotoGP campaign. Melandri was remarkably successful with Movistar Honda in 2005, with a consistent run of podium finishes early in the season, ultimately taking his first two wins in the final two races of 2005 to clinch second place in the championship. In doing so, he was the first Honda rider to win back-to-back races for nearly two years, winning round 16 of the MotoGP Championship at Istanbul, Turkey, as well as the 17th and final race at Valencia. Although he never really challenged his best friend Valentino Rossi for the title, he finished the season strongly as runner-up, with a total of 2 wins and 5 additional podiums.

Melandri rode for Gresini's Fortuna Honda team alongside Toni Elías in the 2006 season. With Rossi struggling to find consistency, he was a major challenger, along with Ducati's Loris Capirossi and Honda riders Nicky Hayden and Dani Pedrosa. He again won at Istanbul, despite starting from 14th on the grid. He managed further wins at Le Mans, France and Phillip Island, Australia. He finished the season in 4th position, just 1 point behind Capirossi.

In 2007, Melandri and Elias remained in the Honda Gresini team, now sponsored by Hannspree. Honda's 800cc machine was not competitive. As of the race at Laguna Seca in which he finished third, Marco lies sixth overall, with an additional podium at Le Mans. After these 10 races, works rider Dani Pedrosa is the only Honda ahead of him in the standings - he and Pedrosa the only Honda riders with multiple podiums.

Immediately after Melandri's 3rd place finish in the 2007 US MotoGP round, Ducati announced that he will join its factory team alongside Casey Stoner for 2008 and 2009.