Gowland, WFR Honda part ways

WFR Honda has confirmed that Graeme Gowland is no longer part of the team after opting out of his contract with four rounds of the 2012 MCE British Superbike Championship remaining.

Gowland began the season as one-third of WFR Honda's rider line-up alongside James Westmoreland and Alex Lowes, the Briton having taken numerous class victories on the way second position in the 2011 EVO sub-championship.

However, Gowland has struggled to replicate the same kind of form in 2012 and having decided to sit out the Cadwell Park round, he has now decided to leave the team altogether.

"I'm deeply sorry that Graeme feels he has had to make this decision," said team manager Myles Schofield. "There were a couple of operational issues through the season that we didn't always see eye to eye on, but Graeme was treated fairly and was an equal third in our focus to get the riders into the end of year Showdown.

"I can't help but think he's made the wrong decision, however, at the same time I don't want to force somebody to race when they don't feel 100% prepared for it.

"I would like to wish him all the best in whatever decision he makes about his future and thank him for his performances on our bikes both this season and last. I can confirm that Graeme's pit crew will be found work within the team until the end of the year."

Having just secured its first-ever BSB podium courtesy of Lowes at Cadwell Park, WFR Honda will continue as a two-rider team for the remainder of the 2012 season.