Marco Melandri will race for Aprilia in WSBK next year.

Italian Marco Melandri has confirmed his agreement with Aprilia for the 2014 Superbike World Championship.

Melandri won his lone world championship with Aprilia in the 2002 250cc Grand Prix World Championship, going on to win races in MotoGP and WSBK during a lengthy international career.

“Coming back to ride the brand that brought me my first world champion title is first and foremost very exciting,” Melandri said. “Speaking from a human and personal point of view, there are so many memories that tie me to Aprilia and they are memories of victories.

“In all these years Aprilia has demonstrated its worthiness in racing, winning one world title after another, so I am sure that I will find an environment where we are always ready to compete for victory.

“From a technical point of I am quite anxious to race on the RSV4, a bike that I have done battle with many times on the track. I think that she and I will get along well, but the track, the first testing sessions and above all the races to come will give us the answer to that one.

“And then I think that riding an Italian bike into battle for the world title is amazing for an Italian rider. So follow along with us. It’s going to be an exciting and fun season.”

Melandri finished his rookie WSBK season second in 2011, third in 2012 and fourth in 2013.

The Aprilia title collection in WSBK, where they have just taken the 2013 manufacturer title, includes five championships (two rider and three manufacturers) with 38 wins and the impressive figure of 93 podiums in addition to 16 pole positions.