Speedway champion Greg Hancock retires

Four-time world speedway champion, Greg Hancock, has retired from world competition after a record 218 Speedway Grand Prix appearances.

The American rider made the decision to retire so he can spend more time with his family in California. He will not compete in the FIM Speedway Grand Prix series in 2020.

Hancock withdrew from the 2019 series to look after his family as his wife battled breast cancer.

“This last year taking care of my wife and family became life changing in many ways and put life into a new perspective,” said Hancock. “I am pleased with my racing achievements and believe it is time to move on to a new chapter.”

While he will no longer race, Hancock plans to stay in the sport, although his exact plans are yet to be revealed. "I have plans that will keep me close to the sport," he said. "We'll see where that goes in the weeks ahead."

At 49, Hancock is the only rider who has been a part of the SGP line-up every year since the inception of the series in 1995. Up until September 2014, he had raced in every SGP event staged, with an unbroken run of 177 appearances.

As well as the most SGP starts, he also holds the record for the most points scored (2655), most heat wins (455) and most final appearances (92).

Hancock won his first world title in 1997, but he waited another 14 years to win his second. His last three titles were won after turning 40, making him the oldest world champion ever. He is also one of only six riders to have won the world solo speedway title four times or more, since it began in 1936.

The California native says his career was ‘amazing’ but admits it’s time to move on. “Racing at the highest level, winning four world championships, team and pairs world championships, amongst many domestic league championships were amongst the most challenging and successful times of my life to date,” he said. “As difficult as it is to make a decision like this, it is the right one.”

The 2020 Speedway Grand Prix series kicks off in Warsaw on May 16.