Easton splits with Moto Rapido Ducati
Stuart Easton and Lloyds British Moto Rapido Ducati have mutually agreed to split ways ahead of the final two rounds of the MCE British Superbike championship with the Scottish rider focusing on the Macau GP later this year.
Eaton joined Moto Rapido Ducati ahead of the Cadwell Park round last month having parted company from Tommy Hill's ePayMe Yamaha team.
Despite making solid progress over the past three rounds the Scot says with results not coming in he would prefer to shift his focus towards Macau as well as securing a ride for 2017.
"I really appreciate the chance and opportunity Steve gave me with the Lloyds British Moto Rapido Ducati team in the last three races," Easton said. "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."
Team boss Steve Moore has thanked Easton for his efforts battling in a fiercely competitive campaign despite limited experience and track time with the Panigale R and the squad.
"Stuart has had a tricky year, much like ourselves, but after the Donington park round it was clear that something wasn't right," Moore said. "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.
"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. British 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'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."
