Alstare Suzuki have sacked injured rider Max Neukirchner after he failed to turn up for a meeting with the team and doctors to discuss his medical conditions, and clarify his fitness.
The German, who suffered a horror crash at Monza and then another at the Imola test, has said on his website he would be fit to ride at the upcoming Portimao test but Alstare were told by the Clinica Mobila and an independent neurologist his would not be able to race for four to six months.
A statement from the team reads:
On September 30th 2009, the contract between Max and Alstare should have been automatically extended for 2010. However, as a result of all these issues, we decided to have a meeting with Max on the Sunday after the race in Imola. During this meeting, we informed him that his contract could not be extended while his physical condition remained in doubt.
We asked Max to come to Alleur, with one of his surgeons, the week after Magny-Cours, in order to carry out some tests which would have clarified the true state of his health. Unfortunately Max did not show up at our headquarters as had been agreed.
Alstare Suzuki have had a close collaboration with Max for three years and, during this time, we have encouraged and developed his promise whilst supporting him in the best possible way to enhance his career.
Max’s failure to come and talk to us means that, regretfully, this collaboration has now come to an end. However, we would like to wish him a full and speedy recovery and good luck in the future.
