WFR Honda have today issued a statement refuting some of the claims made by Alex Lowes about his split with the team. It is re-produced here, in full, at the editor's discretion and this is the last www.bikesportnews.com will publish on the matter:

"Having recently been made aware of comments in the media attributed to Alex Lowes regarding his departure from the team, and the circumstances leading up to it, the management of WFR feel it necessary to issue the following clarification in the interests of honesty and integrity.

"In December 2010, terms were agreed with Alex Lowes for him to ride with Team WFR in the 2011 Evo class of the BSB championship, and although these were not formally put in writing at this stage, he was eminently aware that the agreement would consist of a 12 month riding contract with an option for a further 12 months, and a separate management contract of indeterminate length. The details were subsequently discussed and clarified on several occasions and with all parties in broad agreement they were drawn up within a legal framework by a well recognised and well respected motorsport solicitor. Contrary to Alex’s assertion that this was first presented to him at Croft post qualifying, email records at WFR can confirm that a draft 8 page rider contract and 10 page draft management contract were issued to him by email on Monday 2nd May.

"At all junctures, the team stressed to Alex that if he was at all uncertain of any of the elements of the rider or management contract that he MUST seek professional legal advice, and revert with any concerns that he may have had or points that he wished to refine or alter. As the contracts were merely drafts at this stage, and designed as a document to promote discussion, and provide a starting point for negotiation, they specifically contained the right for Alex to instruct and maintain his own professional, legal or fiscal advisers; it was never envisaged that they would go unaltered prior to signing, even though their contents were viewed by the team’s advisers as fair, unambiguous and uncontentious. Prior to departing Oulton Park, Alex was made aware that he would be receiving the draft the following day, and asked to come to the team’s offices at his own convenience at any time in the period prior to Croft. Alex failed to make these arrangements and made concerted efforts to avoid Managing Director Myles Schofield throughout the Croft event. And whilst the length of the management contract was indeed set at a period of 10 years, it is widely accepted within sports management that it is this length of term that maximises value for both the rider and his management. Let us reiterate; it did not preclude Alex retaining his own advisers during this period. So, for Alex’s unnamed advisor to call it the most ludicrous thing he has ever seen makes one wonder if he actually knew what he was looking at.

"Again, contrary to Alex’s comments that he was told to sign the contract immediately, or face not racing on Sunday, the team categorically deny that any such conversation ever took place and vehemently oppose the suggestion that he was given this ultimatum. His comments are quite simply the untruths of a badly advised young man who, whilst seeking to protect and elevate his own status, and in the absence of official comment from the team, is seeking to discredit the name of his former employers, without thinking of the wider consequences of his slanderous comments.

"Subsequent to the race meeting at Croft Alex did inform the team via email on the 16th May that he was unhappy with the contract, and outlined the terms under which he was prepared to ride. These were not acceptable to the team, and on 17th May it was agreed with Alex’s personal sponsor that a conference call should be set up for 9.30am the following day to determine a mutually acceptable solution to the contract negotiations. At 7.57am on the 18th May Alex Lowes notified Myles Schofield by email that he had instructed his representative not to make the call to find an amicable solution, and that if he wasn’t able to ride for the team under his own terms then he wouldn’t be prepared to ride at all, and that he needed a decision by the end of that day. Far from being the ones issuing ultimatums, the team were now on the receiving end of one from their star rider, and the situation presenting itself was unacceptable and untenable for all concerned. Not wishing to be held to ransom, the agonising decision was made to withdraw the contract offer thereby returning Alex Lowes to the ranks of free agent, the team secure in the knowledge that it had acted in good faith throughout its relationship with him.