Dumped ... Camel wanted Biaggi, however, Honda didn'tShock news: after 25 years, the Sito Pons Honda MotoGP team is to 'take a year off' after losing Camel sponsorship. Whether the team owner, a former double 250 champion, will be able to get back

. Randy Mamola is at the forefront of such calls.Is that why the cheer-leading commentator is so prone to putting on a humorous wig on special occasions? Such as when he's to be seen in public at the British GP, or meeting (soccer) royal Michael Owen

. But there; I just did.All but two or three MotoGP team managers spend most of their spare time between buffets whinging about the lack of sponsorship money around. Now we learn that Spanish team owner Jorge “Aspar” Martinez is moving up to the top class

wrong with Honda?Sponsorship, and consequences, is what. Honda had six quality riders. Three - Gibernau, Tamada and Biaggi - won races. Another came with credentials: double Superbike champ Edwards. Nicky Hayden was fresh off a first season of growing

- have the biggest crowds of all.So why have the Spanish press and fans turned against their top rider? It's a huge change since they were mad about mild-mannered Alex Criville. Criville was very average for many years, though the Repsol sponsorship meant

of the fag money that kept bike racing in luxury for two decades. The lack of any significant replacement was the topic of a lively 'sponsorship summit' hosted by series bosses Dorna in in the weeks after the Spanish GP.The mid-field teams are sure

sponsorship, factory Yamahas, and a few wins then they lost the money, the bikes and their riders. Team owner Bob MacLean, American millionaire had nothing left but his franchise. They had few options (run with obsolete two-strokes or sell the franchise). Mac

. For whatever reason (mainly sponsorship) British riders weren't on anybody's shopping lists at the right time for Steve.It's all wrong, of course. Riding talent should be the most important criterion on which riders are picked, and the way to the top should

true to the grand prix dream. And not without hardship, as this year Britain's GP winner is doing it for no payment. Aside from personal sponsorship deals, he doesn't even get the prize money. It goes to the team.You can't over-state the case, as Jeremy

but no sponsorship for next season. As the time passed, however, it began to look as though this obvious common-sense solution might not fit with the commercial realities.Which leads to the strangest thing of all. It now seems at least possible that Max Biaggi might