Andrew Pitt retires

Australia’s Andrew Pitt has called time on an exceptional road racing career, which saw him win the Supersport World Championship twice, and also compete in world Superbike and MotoGP.

Pitt has cited irreversible nerve damage to his left shoulder, sustained in a crash in late 2010 while competing in the British Superbike Championship, as the major reason for his departure from the sport where he has been a player for 15 years.

“When I first came to Europe in 2000 I could never have imagined I would spend 11 seasons racing in the world championship,” said Pitt. “It really has been a fun ride and I have gained lots of great memories, as well as some painful ones, along the way. Winning the world championships was something that I will have forever and never forget. And riding some of the best machines in the world has been incredible.

“I love motorcycles and riding them as fast as possible, and the best one has to be the 2007 M1 MotoGP machine. I really enjoyed being part of that development and testing team.

“It wasn’t the perfect ending and you can’t always choose how you go out but I am still in one piece and at least I have time to work on my cycling now.

“I will miss the good days on the podium for sure, but I will continue to ride in testing and training roles, as well as pursue my motorcycle magazine and television work. I want to stay in the motorcycle industry and I still have the same passion for bikes now as I did when I was 10-years old.

“I’d like to say a very special thank you to first of all my fans, who stuck with me in good years and not so good years. Also, my family, particularly my father Carl, have always been there for me and backed me in my racing, from the days of us driving across Australia in a van to supporting me in MotoGP or WSBK paddocks, they have been fantastic.”

Pitt, 35, first made an impact on the road racing scene in Australia in 1996 when he finished runner up in the hotly contested 250cc Production championship. Just three years after his first road race Pitt was Australian Supersport champion riding for Team Kawasaki Australia.

This led to a three-year contract with the factory Kawasaki team in world Supersport, and in only his second year won the world title. He would later repeat that effort on a Honda in 2008.

In 2003, Pitt climbed to the pinnacle of road racing, riding a Kawasaki in MotoGP, where he also rode for Moriwaki in 2004 and Illmor in 2007. During 2007, Andrew was also development and test rider for the Yamaha MotoGP team and for Michelin.

In 2005, Pitt joined Yamaha in world Superbike, finishing eighth and fifth over the two seasons, which included a race win and six podiums.