Leon Haslam will leave Team Alstare Suzuki at the end of the season as doubts grow over the outfit¿s future.
British rider released as Suzuki outfit's future remains in doubt
Leon Haslam will leave Team Alstare Suzuki at the end of the season as doubts grow over the outfit's future in the Superbike World Championship.
The British rider has enjoyed a successful first season with the factory Suzuki squad after making the switch from Honda.
Haslam currently lies second in the points standings behind Max Biaggi, who has already been crowned champion with one round of the series still to go.
But Suzuki are yet to commit to a future involvement in the team and the uncertainty has left team boss Francis Batta with little choice but to let Haslam go.
"Team Alstare hereby informs the international press and media that Leon Haslam has been released from the two-year contract with Team Alstare," a team statement read.
"For the past six weeks Team Alstare has been waiting for an answer from its principal partner regarding the situation for the future of the Team.
Answer
"Last week, after Francis Batta's visit to Japan, we were assured that an answer would be given to the Team before the race in Imola (September 23)."
Haslam's advisors had told the team that they had already received offers from other manufacturers and Batta expressed disappointment that he had lost his main rider.
The statement added: "Such a lack of interest and an unclear situation from our main partner forces Team Alstare to let Leon decide his own future.
"Francis and Patricia Batta have been in contact with Leon Haslam's advisors for the past few weeks and were informed that Leon had received some proposals from manufacturers.
"It is therefore in total agreement between the parties that Leon was authorised to deal with another manufacturer in order for him not to lose an opportunity to further his future career.
"We all wish Leon all the best for the season 2011. We are disappointed to lose such a talented rider in whom we had put all of our hopes. Obviously our main partner did not share our opinion."
