Bike sport insight: Rory Skinner opens up about losing his Moto2 seat after just one season in the GP paddock

British fans were shocked last month when Rory Skinner was informed that he would be losing his American Racing seat in Moto2 next year… despite having a two-year contract.

Skinner’s future is now unclear, with confusion over a performancerelated clause in his contract at the centre of the incident.

MCN sat down with Rory Skinner at the season finale in Valencia to hear his thoughts on the decision.

Was your exit a big shock?

I really didn’t see it coming, and neither did John [Hopkins, personal manager]. It’s a strange one, and John did everything he could to make sure I stayed put.

He wasn’t involved in this. It’s been tough for him, I feel for John. People don’t see how close we are, we’re just as much good friends as we are colleagues, in that he’s my manager.

John has been working his ass off to make sure I have something competitive next year.

Honestly, it’s gutting, I didn’t expect my Grand Prix career to only last a season, especially when I had a two-year contract…