WSBK: Leon Haslam released from Alstare Suzuki, heading to BMW

Posted: Monday 27 September 2010 by Toni M.

leon haslam

Alstare Suzuki’s team owner Francis Batta has been having problems finding official financial backing from Suzuki all this year and has been very outspoken about the situation, with complaints that his winning team is being deprived of help and funding in favour of Suzuki’s MotoGP team, and may be forced to run just a single rider in next season’s Superbike championship.

Leon Haslam, who is the 2010 WSBK runner-up and paid directly by Batta and not by Suzuki, had a contract option for 2011, pending that the Japanese manufacturer would officially back the team, but with factory still not expressing their intentions, Batta has decided to release Haslam from his contract with this press release:

“Team Alstare hereby informs the international press and media that Leon Haslam has been released from the two-year contract with Team Alstare.  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.”

“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. Team Alstare received no news. 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  .Team Alstare, Francis, Patricia and all the staff want to thank Leon and his family for the fabulous season he achieved. 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.  

Leon Haslam will be released from his obligations with Team Alstare on Sunday night after the last race in Magny-Cours   in order for him to test with his new team.”

The British rider is expected to announce his new contract with BMW shortly, so stand by for the German team’s press release.