Turkish motorcyclist quitting Kawasaki race team

ISTANBUL

After being left out of a race in Japan, Turkish motorcyclist Toprak Razgatlioglu is calling it quits from the Kawasaki Racing Team.

"After this incident, we decided to join a team that respects us," Razgatlioglu told Anadolu Agency on Thursday after the team did not give him a chance to compete in Sunday's race in Suzuka, Japan.

Kawasaki had three riders in the 8-hour endurance race -- Jonathan Rea, Razgatlioglu, and Leon Haslam -- but Razgatlioglu never got a chance to ride.

Each team in the race had two or three riders, rotating during pit-stops.

"Everyone supports us and criticizes Kawasaki," Razgatlioglu said after the race.

Saying he expects to jump ship to Yamaha, he added: "We spoke with them and got positive feedback. They also want us."