Fogarty's team could not make its debut last season

Carl Fogarty has dismissed claims that the cancellation of the Malaysian round of the 2003 World Superbike Championship threatened the future of his new team.

Foggy Petronas Racing, preparing for their maiden season in the championship, are backed by Malaysian oil giant Petronas.

When the round at Sepang was removed from next year's race calendar there were rumours the team's backers would pull out of their agreement.

But Fogarty, whose team are testing this week at Valencia in Spain, has declared their intention to take part in next season's championship.

"A lot of people have been asking about the cancellation of the Malaysian round," said Fogarty.

"And it didn't help to see some ridiculous speculation on one of the websites that it put the future of this team into doubt.

"Basically, my team had nothing to do with plans for a Malaysian round at Sepang.

"We don't determine the World Superbike calendar and we are happy to go and race wherever the series takes us."

Fogarty's team had been due to make their debut last season but were held up by delays in developing the new FP1 bike.

But now team owner Fogarty has reiterated his intention to make the grid at the first round of the 2003 championship at Valencia on 2 March.