[top: John Hopkins of the Kawasaki racing team powering his bike in Sepang.]

BLAME it on the global economic crisis.

Kawasaki, which fields riders John Hopkins and Marco Melandri, are set to leave premier motorcycle racing this season.

This news comes in the wake of Japanese manufacturers Honda pulling out of F1, Subaru and Suzuki quitting World Rally Championship, all due to the poor economic climate.

Motorcyclenews.com quoted Hopkins as saying that Kawasaki has notified him of its intention not to compete this season. It was communicated to him and the rest of team on 29 Dec, the website said.

Autosport.com reported that Kawasaki 'is set to make an announcement regarding its plans for 2009 on Monday, when it is expected to confirm details of its withdrawal from the premier motorcycle racing class'.

The news couldn't have come at a worse time for 26-year-old Melandri.

The Italian rider had hoped to jumpstart his career with Kawasaki this season, after a disastrous showing with Ducati in 2008.

Hopkins, 25, had said earlier: 'I heard it's up in the air, but I haven't heard anything confirmed yet.

'I got some calls from the team manager (Michael Bartholemy) and he said that everything could be up in the air as to whether they run it or not, but nothing has been confirmed...

NOT SO HOT: (From left) Despite the efforts of Kawasaki MotoGP riders Anthony West and John Hopkins, the team hadn't achieved great results.

'I've been talking to my managers and seeing what the plan is and they've been on the phone to Japan trying to figure it out as well. Right now I'm still contracted to them, so I'm not sure what the plan is.'

In MotoGP, where a bike is believed to cost around US$2.5 million ($3.6m), and the costs of running a team and developing each bike are astronomical, it's all about dollars and sense.

But at a time when the world motorcycling body (FIM) is trying to level the playing field by imposing a single tyre manufacturer rule, it's a shame that Kawasaki seems to be pulling the plug prematurely.

Yet, some say it makes perfect sense for Kawasaki to back out. Since they started taking part in the MotoGP class, six seasons ago (in 2003), they have not achieved any significant results.

The closest the team came to winning were three second places in three years - Randy de Puniet (Motegi 2007), Shinya Nakano (Assen 2006) and Olivier Jacque (Shanghai 2005).

When Hopkins, an American, joined the team last year, Kawasaki had hoped its fortunes would change.

But it did not.Hopkins struggled with injuries to his left leg last season.

He managed 16th position in last season's championship with a total of 57 points, while his Australian team-mate, Anthony West, got 50 points and was ranked 18th.

This article was first published in The New Paper on Jan 3 2009.