Colin Edwards announces retirement
Will pull the pin at the end of 2014, with his two world superbike titles and a fourth in the 2005 MotoGP championship his greatest successesThe ‘Texan Tornado’, Colin Edwards, is to retire from road racing at the end of the 2014 MotoGP season.
The 40-year-old made the announcement in his home states of Texas during a press conference ahead of this weekend’s MotoGP round at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin.
Edwards has been riding professionally for 22 years and has been in MotoGP since 2003, notching up 12 podiums along the way. He was also world superbike champion in 2000 and 2002.
“In testing this year I could see that I need to change my riding style and it is against my instinct to ride differently so that has had an effect,” said Edwards.
“I want to spend more time with my wife and my children and of course I want to say thanks to Yamaha and everyone who has helped me in my career.”
There were plaudits for the retiring Edwards from the other riders at the press conference, with Valentino Rossi admitting: “I am very sad about the news of Colin's retirement, as he is one of my best friends in the paddock. He is a great guy and a great rider.”
Marc Marquez commented with a smile: “Colin started riding at the top when I was just two years old. I hope I can ride for as long as he has and I think he can be really proud of his career.”
Edwards’ compatriot Nicky Hayden concluded: “I always look at Colin and admire the energy he has with so many miles and so many years behind him. It’s a shame to be losing a fellow American from the sport. I hope he takes it easy for the rest of the year and takes it easy on the rest of us!”
In world superbike, Edwards enjoyed many epic battles with Australia’s Troy Bayliss, none more exciting than the final race of the 2002 season at Imola when the two riders were battling for the title – eventually won in favour of the American. See the video below.
The Red Bull Grand Prix of The Americas gets underway at 9:00am local time in Austin with FP1 for the Moto3 riders. MotoGP FP1 follows at 9:55am, with the Moto2 riders heading out on track at 10:55am for their first session of the weekend.
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