In a surprise move, after just a single race together, HMC Ducati Team Owner Mitch Hansen and rider Pascal Picotte have ended their professional relationship.

Sources close to the situation say that Picotte will no longer ride for the team, and that Hansen is in the process of signing another rider to pilot the HMC Ducati.

It's a surprise move because the relationship between HMC and Picotte seemed to be full of promise. Picotte was overjoyed to back on a competitive V-Twin Superbike, while Hansen was happy to have a rider capable of winning again. Pre-season testing went well with Picotte literally grinning as he awaited swinging a leg over the machine in the pit lane at Daytona.

Yet, last week at Daytona one could watch the relationship between Picotte and the team degrade as the days passed.

When asked at Daytona to comment on the rumors that Picotte and the team were not getting along (Picotte was said to be unhappy with the caliber and management of the crew supplied to him by Hansen)a team source said that there had been some rough water, but that all had been worked out between them.

Seven days later, Picotte was released from his agreement with the team.

Neither side was overly happy with the current situation since Daytona and Hansen moved to end the relationship.

Presumably, he is signing a new rider for the HMC Ducati.

***** stay tuned ****