Takahashi dropped by Scot Honda
Added on Thursday, July 2nd, 2009 by Carole Nash Editor
Takahashi will not feature for Scot Honda again this season.
Yuki Takahashi has been dropped by the Scot Honda team ahead of this weekend’s US Grand Prix at Laguna Seca.
The Japanese rider will not feature at this weekend’s grand prix, despite travelling to California earlier this week and will not feature in any remaining rounds this season. The decision means that the premier class of MotoGP will be without a Japanese rider for the first time in 18 years.
The writing was on the wall for Takahashi when the cash-strapped Scot Honda team drafted in Hungarian rider Gabor Talmasci earlier this month, with the former 250cc bringing much needed sponsorship with him.
In both Barcelona and Assen, the Scot team continued to run with just two bikes in the garage, spilt between the riders, with many questioning how the team would approach flag-to-flag races. It later transpired that the team had attempted to secure two additional motorcycles from Honda to accommodate both riders although that request has been turned down. As a result, Scot Honda were left with no option but to drop the 25-year-old.
“For Honda as well as the Scot Racing Team, this is a sad announcement,” said HRC vice president Shuhei Nakamoto. “But we understand that the extremely challenging financial circumstances facing the team left them with no choice.
“Takahashi was the only Japanese rider in the MotoGP championship and of course Honda wanted to see him continue. But in the end the team made it clear that this outcome was impossible and we respect their decision.
“Honda will continue to support the Scot Racing Team in MotoGP with Gabor Talmacsi riding.”
