 Shane Byrne riding the Proton KR at Estoril |
Former world champion Kenny Roberts' struggling Proton KR team have pulled out of the next five Moto GP meetings because of a cash crisis. The Oxfordshire-based team lost the backing of Austrian motorcycle builder KTM before the Czech Republic GP.
Roberts' outfit are now unable to finance the trips to Japan, Malaysia, Qatar, Australia and Turkey, leaving just Valencia on their 2005 schedule.
It also means the team are deprived of their regular rider Shane Byrne.
"We hope to be in Valencia," said Proton KR boss Chuck Aksland.
"It's very disappointing to miss our first race in 20 years but we have the resources and ability to run a competitive team next year but we need the finance and sponsors."
MMIX
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