Charpentier Leaves Triumph BE1 - Replaced by Lagrive

Sebastien Charpentier has the second most wins in World Supersport racing, but he won’t be getting another one in 2010. Charpentier, who returned this year to the WSS after a two-year haitus, has dropped out of the competition and left team Triumph BE1 Racing.

The decision came after a disappointing opening round at Phillip Island, where the two-time World Supersport champion finished in 13th place, over a minute behind the winner, Eugene Laverty.

"[Charpentier] has decided to withdraw from the championship after failing to demonstrate the pace which made him a two-time champion in the opening round of the season at Phillip Island in Australia," said a statement from the BE1 team.

The BE1 Team will call on Matthieu Lagrive, a 30-year old Frenchmen who has plenty of experience on the track. He may not have Charpentier’s second place record of 13 wins, but Lagrive has started 72 WSS races, and has climbed onto the podium once.

Lagrive will begin to practice on the Daytona 675 as he prepares to make his debut at Portimao, Portugal. There are only 15 riders participating in the WSS at Portimao, so chances are good that Lagrive will be able to score more points for the BE1 racing team.

As for Charpentier, there is no word yet as to what his future racing plans will be.