Bartholemy: 'All such allegations are off the table'

The fallout between Marc VDS team principal Michael Bartholemy and team owner Marc van der Straten has taken a further twist.

A statement released by Bartholemy claims that a planned meeting to sort out the situation - which some predicted would see Bartholemy depart the team - was cancelled without explanation by van der Straten.

''For me, this action [cancellation] can only be interpreted in one way; that all such allegations are off the table now," said Bartholemy, who unreservedly rejects any suggestion of financial impropriety.

"I have made repeated requests through my legal representatives for evidence to be provided in relation to the unfounded allegations.

"I wish to make it clear that no evidence has been forthcoming from Mr Marc van der Straten or his legal team.

"I would also like to make it clear that Mr van der Straten and his legal team have confirmed that there has been no termination of contract."

As such, Bartholemy plans to attend this weekend's French Grand Prix and oversee the VDS MotoGP and Moto2 teams as usual.

van der Straten is yet to comment on why the meeting was cancelled or if he agrees with Bartholemy's interpretation 'that all such allegations are off the table now'.

The full statement from Bartholemy can be seen below:

'Allegations of financial impropriety were made against me personally during the Spanish Grand Prix weekend in Jerez. These allegations were made not directly, but via the press.

'Since these allegations were made against me in my role of Team Principal of the Marc VDS Racing Team, I rejected the allegations unreservedly and vowed to defend against them robustly.

'That remains my clear position. For this matter to be resolved at the earliest opportunity, I have made repeated requests through my legal representatives for evidence to be provided in relation to the unfounded allegations.

'I wish to make it clear that no evidence has been forthcoming from Mr Marc van der Straten or his legal team. Furthermore, they informed us that journalists falsely reported Mr Marc van der Straten's declarations.

'I would also like to make it clear that Mr van der Straten and his legal team have confirmed that there has been no termination of contract. Finally, they have made no communication informing me that I am no longer responsible for managing the Marc VDS Racing Team as Team Principal in future.

'I offered several options as to how this issue might be resolved, but no solution at all was presented by Mr Marc van der Straten. I received a request for a meeting on Monday May 14 at 1530 CET in Geneva, Switzerland, which I confirmed that I would attend. At 1830 CET on Friday May 11 that meeting was cancelled without any content-related explanation and with no indication that the meeting would be rescheduled.

'For me, this action can only be interpreted in one way; that all such allegations are off the table now. I will therefore be attending this weekend’s French MotoGP round in Le Mans to continue as Team Principal of the Marc VDS Racing Team, with all my dedication for the team.

'I would also like to take this opportunity to personally thank those, both inside and out of the paddock, who did not hesitate to support me in the face of these unsubstantiated allegations. Most importantly, I also want to thank my family, who have suffered more than most from these unfounded accusations.'

After news of the fallout emerged at the Spanish Grand Prix, van der Straten responded by issuing a brief statement confirming his teams would continue in grand prix as planned, until the end of its current contract in 2021.

While a potential new MotoGP partnership with Suzuki looks to have evaporated in recent weeks, not helped by the rumours, Marc VDS is still tipped to take over the satellite Yamaha supply in 2019 and also has the option to continue with Honda.