Stuart Easton has decided to sit out the rest of the MCE British Superbike season and focus on his Macau GP efforts while the Lloyds British Moto Rapido Ducati team will bring in a new rider for the upcoming Assen round.
Easton wasn’t able to achieve the results he and Steve Moore team wanted after making his debut at Cadwell Park so will now concentrate on winning at Macau and coming back strongly in 2017.
“I really appreciate the chance and opportunity Steve gave me with the Lloyds British Moto Rapido Ducati team in the last three races. I didn’t think it was fair to continue when the results weren’t coming. I can’t thank them enough for all the effort they put in and I’m sorry I couldn’t get the results they deserve. I will be concentrating on Macau and 2017 now,” said the Hawick rider.
Moore is determined not to give up and says he will continue to develop the Panigale for the last two rounds.
“Stuart has had a tricky year, much like ourselves, but after the Donington park round it was clear that something wasn’t right. Stuart is a former British Champion and race winner as recent as last season, a proven racer. His results haven’t been what we all expected. So, for his own reasons he now feels that it’s time to take some time away from the riders seat and sit the remainder of the BSB season out,” he said.
“Stuart’s fit with us was very good and has been very complimentary of our bike and team but unless every detail is right you cannot expect to compete at this level. BSB Superbike is a punishing racing class, you only need to be a few percent off your best and you’re out of the points. Stuart was within two percent of the fastest guys every sector, every session, but that saw him outside the points several times. Which isn’t a fair reflection of him or the bike.
“I thank Stuart for his effort and his up front honesty, his experience and professional feedback has helped us develop the bike further and he’ll remain a good friend of the team. We enjoyed having him with us and I really look forward to watching him lift trophies again soon.
“We don’t give up so I’ve spoken to several riders already, now we will use the remaining two rounds to develop our Panigale further and will announce a new rider soon ready for Assen and maybe even the same one for Brands Hatch too.”
