Cooper, TAG Kawasaki part ways

Anvil Hire TAG Kawasaki has announced it has parted ways with Richard Cooper ahead of the eighth British Superbike Championship round at Cadwell Park.

Competing in only his second full season of BSB racing after several years at Superstock and Supersport level, the 32 year-old had been leading TAG Kawasaki's challenge in ninth overall after scoring a pair of podium results at the recent Brands Hatch event.

However, with five rounds of the 2015 season remaining, TAG Racing team owner Richard Winfield says the two parties have come to a mutual agreement to end their contract, albeit without giving a formal reason as to why.

"We'd firstly like to take this time to thank Richard for all his hard work this season and in the past. He's a model professional and works hard in everything that he does, and has given us some lasting memories. But we both feel it's time to part ways. TAG Racing as a whole wishes Richard all the best in the future."

Cooper has enjoyed a long and successful collaboration as a TAG Racing rider, proving a race winner with the team at Supersport level and scoring three podiums in the Superbike class.

It isn't known whether Cooper will be replaced or whether the previously three-man squad will focus on Filip Backlund and Shaun Winfield instead.