Kawasaki is pulling out of the FIM MotoGP World Championship for at least the 2009 season and will make the decision public with an official announcement early next week. That’s the word from sources inside the company’s MotoGP race team, which is based in Holland. The team has riders John Hopkins and new signing Marco Melandri under contract for 2009. It is unknown if–and how–Kawasaki’s contractual obligations will be handled. But even if the riders are paid the full amount of their Kawasaki contract, they would lose any chance of earning performance bonuses. And if the riders do not find alternative rides and thus do not participate in the 2009 MotoGP World Championship Series, they could also lose sponsorship fees paid by personal sponsors, such as leather and helmet companies. Contracted crew members have already been offered buy-outs. It is unknown how sponsor Monster Energy, which contracted Kawasaki to field a team carrying Monster logos, will react. Kawasaki worldwide profits have taken a hit due to dramatically reduced consumer spending as well as an increase in the value of the yen compared to the currencies used in export markets where Kawasaki products are sold. More information will be posted when it becomes available. This just in: Returning a phone call to Roadracingworld.com, John Hopkins said, “I haven’t heard anything official. I haven’t been told anything official, and I haven’t been sent anything official so far. Bob Moore and his team are working on taking care of the situation.” (Editorial note: Bob Moore is Hopkins’ manager.)