Colin Edwards: “But I’m still racing this year!”; retirement announced

The "Texas Tornado", Colin Edwards announces retirement at end of 2014 in Austin press conference. Announcing his decision in the Circuit of the America's media centre the Texan native joked, “I’m still racing this year though!” Born on 27th February, 1974, the American MotoGP racer is riding professionally for 22 years, started in MotoGP since 2003 and two time World SuperBike Champion.

Edwards went on to explain, “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 affect. 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.”

Repsol Honda Team's rider, Marquez commented: “I have great memories from 2013 here with my first pole and first victory in MotoGP. My fibula is a little bit better, not perfect but it has improved. I rode in Qatar with painkillers and I will try to ride without them here.”

On the back of his superb duel with Marquez at Losail Movistar Yamaha MotoGP rider Rossi was up next on the microphone, previewing round two by stating: “I was very happy with Qatar but here last year was one of my most difficult races. We need to ride at the maximum. The track is long and very difficult.”

Started his MotoGP career with Aprilia Team in 2003, Colin had worked for 5 different MotoGP teams. In 2005, he joined Factory Yamaha alongside Valentino Rossi, and performed his best season, coming 4th. His last season with the Factory Yamaha was 2009, when he finished 5th overall and move to Yamaha satellite Tech 3 Team, and continued for 2 years.

In 2012, we saw Texas Tornado on a new machine from the the NGM Mobile Forward Racing Team, an continued till now. Year 2012 proven to be tough for Edwards and he switched from BWM-Suter to FTR-Kawasaki machine, and finished 14th overall.