Suzuki cut ties with Neukirchner - Guintoli moves to WSB
Added on Monday, October 12th, 2009 by Carole Nash Editor
Mystery has surrounded Neukirchner's injury problems.
Alstare Suzuki have confirmed that they will not be offering Max Neukirchner a new contract for 2010 after the German failed to provide medical evidence over his ability to race next year, with Sylvain Guintoli stepping up to WSB as a replacement.
In a bizarre turn of events, the 26-year-old has effectively been dismissed by the Suzuki factory team after failing to prove his fitness following an injury that has kept him out for much of the season.
The decision comes after mixed messages from both parties, with Suzuki claiming that their rider will be out of action for the rest of the season but Neukirchner claiming that he would be riding at Portimao next week.
Today however, Suzuki have confirmed their position by declaring that Neukirchner would be leaving the team at the end of the season, with a move to Ten Kate Honda now looking almost certain.
Guintoli, who had originally signed a new deal with the Worx Crescent Suzuki team, will move up to the Alstare Suzuki team for the 2010 Superbike World Championship, with Yuki Kagayama stepping down to BSB.
“Max’s situation was causing concern within Alstare, so we asked him to produce his medical records (during the Imola race weekend) so that the specialists of the Clinica Mobile could confirm his fitness to race again,” read a team statement.
“Max arrived at the track on Saturday but, as his clinical records were incomplete, new X-rays were required. These X-rays, taken by Dr. Costa’s medical staff, showed that excellent work had been carried out by the German surgeons, but also that Max’s recovery might take longer than predicted and that there was still a significant risk to his long-term health.
“Alstare then had a telephone conversation, in Max’s presence, with the neurologist of the Chemnitz clinic, who confirmed the diagnosis made by the Clinica Mobile. The neurologist stated that he would not take responsibility for allowing Max to start racing again.
“According to these two different medical sources, Max’s recovery could be expected to take between four and six months.”
With Neukirchner’s contract scheduled to be extended in September, the team reveals it was unable to honour the agreement while his physical condition remained in doubt.
“We asked Max to come to Alleur, with one of his surgeons, the week after Magny-Cours, in order to carry out some tests which would have clarified the true state of his health. Unfortunately Max did not show up at our headquarters as had been agreed.”
“As such, Suzuki Alstare has confirmed it will part ways with Neukirchner after three seasons of collaboration that produced two wins and a fifth position in the 2008 World Superbike standings.
“Alstare Suzuki have had a close collaboration with Max for three years and, during this time, we have encouraged and developed his promise whilst supporting him in the best possible way to enhance his career.
“Max’s failure to come and talk to us means that, regretfully, this collaboration has now come to an end. However, we would like to wish him a full and speedy recovery and good luck in the future.”
