After four successful years together, which produced two British titles and numerous North West 200 road race wins, TAS Racing and Alastair Seeley have decided on an amicable split as the Ulsterman looks for a return to the British Supersport Championship in 2013. Although Tyco Suzuki Team Manager Philip Neill is sorry to see the Ulsterman go, he hasn’t ruled out the opportunity for the 2011 British Supersport champion to return to the Suzuki fold in the future. However, in 2013, Tyco Suzuki will remain in British Superbikes with a two-rider line-up – Josh Brookes and another rider yet to be announced. Said Neill: “It’s never an enjoyable day when you have to let a rider go, especially when he has brought success to your team, but we have parted on very good terms and who knows, we may see Alastair back on one of our GSX-Rs in the future. “After a tough year in BSB, Alastair has decided that he would like to return to the Supersport class – a decision that I fully support. Unfortunately we are unable to offer Alastair a position in Supersport at this time, as our main focus will again be in British Superbike with Tyco and Suzuki in 2013. “There are only a handful of top rides in any class and the last thing I wanted to do was hold Alastair back as he needs to move swiftly to secure a deal for next season. Everyone within the team wishes him well. He has done a sterling job for TAS Racing, Suzuki, Tyco and all our other associated sponsors this past four years and I’m sure he will be successful wherever he goes.” Said Seeley: “I’ve had a great time working with Philip and Hector Neill, all the boys in the team, Suzuki GB and our various sponsors. They took me to two British titles and I learned a lot about all aspects of the sport during this time. For that I’d like to thank them and Suzuki, but everything comes to an end at some point and I admire Philip for being honest with me so early after the season has finished. It allows me time to find a new position but I’ll still be calling in for a ‘brew’ and a yarn with the boys next year. It’s a small industry and as Philip says, who knows, I could be back on a Suzuki at some point before I hang the leathers up.” Suzuki GB Marketing Manager George Cheeseman, who has also worked closely with Seeley during his time at TAS Racing, said: “Alastair has been a great ambassador for Suzuki this past four years. He demonstrated in no uncertain terms the pedigree of our GSX-R1000 and GSX-R600 machinery by dominating in Superstock and Supersport, and also won races at Superbike level for us. He has been an active and enthusiastic member during our GSX-R owner days and was a popular figure with our large customer base, so although we are sad to see him go, we wish him well for the future.”