Pons pulls out.

After 25 seasons competing at the highest level of the motorcycle world championship, Sito Pons has announced that his eponymous MotoGP squad will not be on the grid in 2006.

The former double 250cc world champion cited the loss of title sponsor Camel - and the inability to land a replacement backer - as the main reason for the pull-out.

"In spite of determined efforts to maintain our team's 2006 MotoGP project, in which we have gratefully counted on the support of HRC and Honda Spain, and having taken part in recent pre-season tests at Valencia and Malaysia in preparation for the season ahead, the option to continue did not, in the end, materialise," Pons said in a prepared statement.

"We would like to express our sincerest gratitude to both HRC and Honda Spain for their patience and assistance, and to Carlos Checa and Casey Stoner for the trust placed in our team."

While Checa has still to find alternative employment for 2006, the team's failure to secure sponsorship had already been realised by Stoner, as the 2005 250cc runner-up exercised a clause in his deal to leave in favour of a ride with former employer Lucio Cecchinello's recently-formed MotoGP squad. Stoner had originally been tipped to graduate to the premier class with Cecchinello's LCR team before getting an offer from Pons, but will now ride a Honda RC211V instead of the Yamaha M1 originally slated for the project.

Pons will now concentrate all his efforts on consolidating a MotoGP project for 2007, when he aims to return to the top flight with a package that can fight for the world title.

"Honda Pons would like to convey its gratitude to [Camel owner] JT International for its support during the last three seasons, and to Alex Barros, Troy Bayliss, HRC, Michelin and all other partners who have collaborated with our team during the 2005 season and with whom we look forward to working again in the future," the team boss said.

"The decision to withdraw from this year's championship has been a very difficult one to take, but our determination and competitive spirit remain unchanged and 25 years of success at the top level serve as a motivation to continue. Our firm intention is to return in 2007 and work is already underway on the new project."

Despite his team's withdrawal, Pons will continue to serve in his role as president of teams' body IRTA.