Hot on the heels of the news that Michael Rutter will ride for Rob Mac Racing under NorthWest 200 colours, Ducati UK have said they will not be competing in British Superbikes next season, making it an all-Japanese series.

The firm expects to field bikes and riders in the Superstock class on the brand new 1198S but because the firm couldn't find a team that would be strong enough to win races in BSB, they have called it a day.

"The 1098R has proven to be a winning machine and this makes it all the more frustrating not to be in BSB next year, but we owe it to Ducati and to race fans to put together as strong a team as possible," said Ducati UK bos Tim Maccabee.

"Unfortunately due to a number of factors we have been unable find a team solution that will allow us to compete at the highest level. We do however expect to be back in 2010."