Hours before Tom Sykes had claimed a heroic victory for Kawasaki in the second leg of the World Superbike Championship at rain-sodden Nurburgring, the Paul Bird Motorsport team were told they had been sacked by their Japanese employers.

Kawasaki will continue to participate in the championship although it is not yet clear at what level and with whom. They have been linked with other teams of whom Motocard, which runs the Supersport squad, is one. It also rumoured they have had talks with Marco Melandri, currently looking for a ride following the withdrawal of Yamaha.

"We were not totally surprised and I have other plans. But you have to say they make some great decisions don't they. We have put a huge amount effort in over the past three years and it was great to get this victory today," said Bird, speaking to bikesportnews.com this afternoon.

The Cumbrian team-owner, whose main business is chicken-processing, is thought to have invested more than £1m a year. He has been involved in motor sport for many years, winning the BSB championship with riders like Steve Hislop and Shakey Byrne.