Confirmed: Kawasaki withdraws from the MotoGP World Championship

The Kawasaki brand has issued an official statement announcing its decision to suspend its activities in the MotoGP World Championship from the 2009 season onwards, so the rumours have been fully confirmed and the green brand is leaving MotoGP, leaving Marco Melandri and John Hopkins without a bike.

Below you can read the statement sent by Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd.

Amid the currently changing business environment, Kawasaki has opted to take swift countermeasures to deal with the situation. Given that the global economy will not recover in a short period of time, due to the major impact of the financial crisis, Kawasaki has decided to suspend its activities in MotoGP racing from the 2009 season onwards and to reallocate management resources more efficiently.

Nevertheless, Kawasaki will continue its racing activities involving mass-produced motorcycles, as well as continuing to support customers who take part in activities derived from them. Kawasaki would also like to thank its sponsors and all of its other partners for their support.

Now we must wait for the reactions of Kawasaki’s riders, as well as of Dorna and the other brands that take part in the World Championship.

We will keep a close eye on MotoGP.

Source | MotoGP Official website