Camel get the hump and exit MotoGP

Camel have withdrawn from MotoGP, accusing the series of a lack of “sporting spirit” after failing to find a ride for Max Biaggi.

Biaggi rode a Camel-backed Honda for Sito Pons’ team last season but, after a dismal campaign, the Japanese manufacturer made it clear he would not be given a ride in 2006.

Camel attempted to find a competitive seat elsewhere for the Italian but failed, claiming the sport has “inexplicably” turned its back on a race-winning rider and lucrative sponsor.

“We put considerable energy and great determination into the MotoGP project with Max, even when it became quite clear that this could not be done with Honda,” said Roberto Zanni, president of Japan Tobacco in Europe.

“But in the end it proved impossible. The obstacles we found ourselves up against were various, decisive and, in a sense, inexplicable.

“It seems that the sporting spirit, which has always been part of motorcycle racing and which has given the public its great passion for this sport, had suddenly disappeared.

“It is this passion for sport which, on the contrary, remains a driving force for our group, the philosophy on which we have based all our activities in the world of motorsport.”