After Alstare Suzuki said that they were surprised that Max Neukirchner would be able and be allowed to participate in the Portimao tests on October 26, other rumors have started circulating regarding the rider’s true status in the team.
During this year’s WSBK silly season, Neukirchner was linked to switch to the new BMW team who wanted the Suzuki rider and was seriously thinking of buying out Neukirckner contract, despite the fact that he was already contracted with the Belgium team for 2010.
However several websites are now reporting that Alstare Suzuki team owner Francis Batta has terminated Neukirchner’s contract for 2010 due to ongoing injuries that have kept the rider out of most of this season and lingering doubts surrounding his health, and that the German rider is heading to the Hannspree Ten Kate Honda team to replace Carlos Checa and Ryuichi Kiyonari, as the team is cutting down from three to two riders.
Ronald ten Kate talking to Motorsport Akutuell has confirmed that Neukirchner has signed a pre-contract with them and they are now ironing out the details.
The deal is expected to be announced early next week.