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MotoGP
Kawasaki are set to pull out of the MotoGP World Championship before the start of the 2009 season, according to reports.
Stories in Italian and Spanish media claim that the Japanese manufacturer has been forced into the withdrawal because of the global economic problems.
The sources also claim that a public announcement will be made on January 5 2009, although team staff have reportedly already been informed.
Kawasaki riders John Hopkins and Marco Melandri were listed on the 2009 provisional entry list issued by FIM, the Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme, on December 16. Melandri had just signed on with the Japanese make after spending last season with Ducati. Hopkins had just completed his first full season with Kawasaki, finishing 16th in the drivers championship.
If the move is confirmed, it would leave just 17 riders on the starting grid next season.
Kawasaki has competed in Moto GP for the last six years. It’s best ever showing in the manufacturer championship was fourth in 2004 and 2005.
Melandri was initially perplexed by the reports.
“I have to wait and speak to someone,” the Italian rider said.
“I can only hope that I wake up on Jan. 1 and discover it’s all a bad dream.”
Hopkins, meanwhile, confirmed the reports that Kawasaki were on the verge of pulling out of the 2009 MotoGP championship, but he said that he hadn’t heard anything official.
“I got some calls from the team manager (Michael Bartholemy) and he said that everything could be up in the air as to whether they run it or not, but nothing has been confirmed.
“Right now I’m still contracted to them so I’m not sure what the plan is.”
UPDATE: January 3, 2009 06:36 am
Following the recent break down in talks by the 125 and 250cc team to run the 2008 Kawasaki bikes in 2009, Aspar are working with Dorna, the championship organiser, on a deal to maintain a Kawasaki presence in the series.
Though Kawasaki has yet to confirm their withdrawal, it is expected the manufacturer will announce its exit from MotoGP in the next week.
Martinez, said he is very interested in MotoGP and it is a project that was already in his plans is uncertain if it will happen, but he is willing to continue the discussions.
“For the last two days I’ve been on the phone with Dorna,” Aspar boss Jorge Martinez said. “They called me first.
“We are in contact - and talks to buy out the two Kawasakis have started.
“For my part there is the will to talk.”
Martinez indicated that John Hopkins, who along with Marco Melandri had signed a deal to ride with Kawasaki in 2009, would be welcome at the team should it come to fruition.
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