Loris Baz leaves Motorpoint Yamaha

The Motorpoint Yamaha team has revealed that it has split with French rider Loris Baz with immediate effect ahead of this weekend's triple header at Brands Hatch.

The Rob Mac Racing-run team has revealed that an issue with Baz's backers have forced it into the decision, which means James Westmoreland is set to be the only Motorpoint rider in action this weekend in Kent.

Baz had sat just outside the top ten in the championship standings with his best finish coming in the opening race at Croft, where he finished fourth in challenging weather conditions.

"It is a great shame for Loris Baz that his backers have run into difficulty at a crucial time of his career," team boss Rob McElnea said. "We as a team like many others have to work hard to raise racing budgets and catering for riders with sponsors is par for the course and the make up of most teams.

"In this current climate there are always going to be casualties and unfortunately Loris has been one of them, we hope to see Loris in the future."