Kawasaki surprised by de Puniet's decision

The Kawasaki MotoGP team said they were surprised by today's announcement that Randy de Puniet will not be staying with them next season, having signed a two-year deal with Honda LCR

De Puniet has had an offer to stay at Kawasaki and partner John Hopkins next year, and his decision to move to LCR now leaves teammate Anthony West in the leading position for Kawasaki's remaining ride.

"Although we knew Randy was talking to [LCR team director] Lucio Cecchinello, we didn't know until we read it on the official MotoGP web site that he'd already signed a two-year deal with LCR Honda," Kawasaki's communications manager Ian Wheeler said.

"While it's true that we didn't take the option we had on Randy at the end of July, we did make him a formal offer at Laguna Seca, and we were due to discuss this offer with him further after next weekend's Misano race.

"Obviously this won't now happen. We haven't spoken to Randy about the announcement from LCR yet, but we were a little surprised to have heard of his decision via the internet, rather than directly from Randy himself.

"But, like Randy, we also have to look to the future and we have a number of options open to us with regard to our second rider for 2008.

"However, our timescale will remain the same and we will not make a final decision about riders until after the Misano race."