'Proud' Paul Bird bids farewell to MotoGP

Paul Bird Motorsport will withdraw from MotoGP after this weekend's Valencia season finale.

The team is focussing on BSB next season, bringing an end to three years of grand prix racing, which began with Aprilia CRT machinery before creating its own ART-powered bikes.

Michael Laverty and Broc Parkes have both scored nine points this year - including 12th and 14th places last time at Sepang - putting PBM fifth out of seven manufactures in the current MotoGP Constructors' standings.

"When we started this project, people said we were mad to try to build our own MotoGP bike but I'm proud to say we did it and what's more, it's capable of lapping within a couple of seconds of the likes of Marc Marquez with all his talent and Honda's limitless budget," said team owner Paul Bird.

"Over three seasons, our bikes have rarely broken down and to finish 75% of the races we have started is an incredible achievement, and almost half of the DNFs have been crashes.

"The team has done a wonderful job which has been very difficult at times, led by Phil Borley. 'The Doc' has been with us for 14 years now and was instrumental in achieving our dream so I'd like to pay special tribute to him at this time.

"Who knows what we might do in future but I'd like to say thanks to Dorna and IRTA for their help over the past three years and it just goes to show what you can do if you really want to achieve something."

Bird will be travelling to Valencia to personally thank his team and witness their final MotoGP race before traveling to the Macau Grand Prix road race.

Parkes and Laverty are yet to announce their 2015 plans, but have the chance to continue with PBM as part of its expanding BSB plans. Shane Byrne claimed a record fourth BSB title while riding for PBM this season.

The team's most successful MotoGP season was its inaugural 2012 campaign with James Ellison, who finished 16th in the championship with a best race result of ninth on the ART.