Capirossi ready to retire after 22 seasons

Date published : 01 Sep 2011 - 19:30:26

Italian motorcycling great Loris Capirossi announced on Thursday that he will retire at the end of the season.

The 38-year-old Capirossi, currently riding a Ducati in the sport's MotoGP category, is a three-time world champion -- twice in 125cc for Honda and once in 250cc for Aprilia.

A day ahead of testing for the San Marino Grand Prix, he said that after 22 seasons of competition -- and with a crop of younger challengers emerging -- it was time to look to the future.

"I'm stopping at the right time after 22 seasons of competition. I've spent most of my life on a motorbike," said the Italian.

Capirossi, the oldest rider still competing in the world championship, has started 324 career races across all categories, picking up 29 victories on the way, nine of which have come in MotoGP.

His last win in motorcycling's most prestigious category was on a Ducati in Japan in 2007, while his best season finish in MotoGP was third place, in 2001 and 2006.

Capirossi is currently struggling down in 16th place, and admitted he had recently been faced with the "hardest decision of my career: stopping competing."

He added: "A lot of young riders are up and coming. Even though I had the chance to continue my career, I'm 100 percent sure I've made the right decision."

There are six races left in the season and Capirossi has a chance to go out in style -- by claiming one more podium spot to bring up his century.