No Yamaha in WSBK

I enjoyed watching WSBK at Silverstone. Race 1, race 2 both were pretty fun to watch, though both were won by the same rider and the rider I am rooting for retired on both.
I just heard the news that Yamaha is pulling out of WSBK races after 2011 season due to the usual downtrodden economy and slow sales. It was sort of shock to me since Yamaha has been a strong manufacturer there. Ben Spies brought them a championship in 2009 and the recent races at Silverstone, Yamaha riders did not win, but occupied podiums on both races. Current Yamaha riders, Marco Melandri (33)and Eugene Laverty(58), along with all the Yamaha Racing Team in World Superbike racing, have been overwhelmed needless to say. They all had contract with Yamaha, (Melandri just renewed it, in fact) this withdrawal screws up everything.

I understand that MotoGP is considered as more popular, and higher class. But I enjoy watching WSBK way much more. There are fewer manufacturers in MotoGP and riders there are bunch o' Prima donnas, refusing to go race at Japan because they are worried about exposure to radiation, which is lower than a stick of banana at this point. They get money from Japanese manufacturers and put support Japan stickers on their bikes but boycott the race there. There seem to be more drama in paddock, too. Which rider hates whom, refuse to shake hands, and what not. In WSBK, it is usually just Max Biaggi being a douchebag.

Yamaha in MotoGP has such a History; produced legends likes of Kenny Roberts, Eddie Lawson, Wayne Rainey, Valentino Rossi, And reigning MotoGP champ, Jorge Lorrenzo is still with Yamaha, and Ben Spies is seems to be doing good there, so if they decided to pull out one of championships, they sure would kill WSBK, but I really do not enjoy much of MotoGP anymore.

By the way, Yamaha will continue to supply YEC kits for its R1 and R6 models to private racing teams.

Source: motoblog.it