Motegi MotoGP: Matt Hoyle’s Haojue team withdraw from 125GP race

Matt Hoyle’s Haojue 125GP team has withdrawn from tomorrow’s Japanese GP at the Twin Ring Motegi.

Undisclosed technical issues with new engine parts hand carried to the Far East were cited as the reason for the shock withdrawal of the team spearheaded by British motorsport legend John Surtees.

The problem struck Hoyle’s bike in this morning’s wet second free practice session and can’t be rectified, said team boss Garry Taylor in the rain-lashed Twin Ring Motegi paddock.

A solution though will be available in time for the team to compete in next weekend’s Spanish GP at Jerez.

Taylor said: “It is very unfortunate that we ran into a technical problem that we can’t solve here in Japan. We can’t fix it safely here. These are evolutionary bikes with lots of new parts and obviously we got caught out. It was much better for us to take the safe option and return in Jerez.”

Hoyle said: “It is frustrating but beyond my control, so I can’t let it bother me.”
The decision means Bradford rider Hoyle has yet to start a race in 2009. He missed the season’s opening clash in Qatar earlier this month following a spectacular crash in the warm-up session when his Haojue machine seized at high-speed.