Honda deny dumping Yuki Takahashi

Honda has vigorously denied throwing rookie Yuki Takahashi – its only Japanese MotoGP rider – on the scrapheap.

Claims by the Scot Honda team that it had reluctantly released Yuki Takahashi because HRC had refused to supply additional engines and spare parts were dismissed by Honda management.

Honda’s counter claim to accusations that they refused to support the only Japanese rider in MotoGP was that the Scot squad simply had no budget to pay for the extra technical support.

The issue only came about when the cash-strapped Scot squad signed Hungarian Gabor Talmacsi in Catalunya, the former 125GP world champion bringing big investment to safeguard the future of the team.

But with only one bike each, Scot tried to secure additional parts from Honda to continue running both riders for the remainder of 2009.

“I want to say we are ready to pay for the spare parts and the new engines, so the problem is not the budget. We have asked Honda to support Yuki for the rest of the season with engines and spare parts. We explained our position to Honda and we confirmed the extra budget for Yuki and we are trying to convince Honda management to support Yuki for the rest of the season, “said a Scot spokesman.

Not surprisingly, HRC management had a different view on the situation. Vice President Shuhei Nakamoto told MCN: “It’s simple, Honda can supply engines and chassis and parts if they can pay. That’s the situation. If they find another sponsor then it is no problem for Honda to supply what is needed for them. As far as we are concerned if they find the budget needed we will supply.”

Caught in the crossfire was poor Takahashi, who denied a team statement saying that he missed last weekend’s Laguna Seca race because of a recurring back injury, a claim backed up by MotoGP doctors who said he was fit to race.

“I was ready to ride and as far as I was concerned when I left Assen I would be riding. Then on I saw the press release that I was finished, “said Takahashi.