Former MotoGP race winner and Moto2 champion, Toni Elias, made an announcement on reside TV, stating that he will probably be retiring from the game. The resolution got here after he secured a fifth-place end within the Road America Superbike race final Sunday, June  4, 2023.

Elias, who has a formidable file of 17 grand prix victories throughout numerous lessons together with 125cc, 250cc, Moto2, and Racing, is greatest remembered for his beautiful overcome Valentino Rossi within the 2006 Estoril race. This victory marked Elias’ first premier-class rostrum and was the final MotoGP win by a satellite tv for pc rider till Jack Miller’s triumph at Assen in 2016.

Although Elias achieved a number of podium finishes within the subsequent years, he struggled to safe additional wins throughout his time within the revised 800cc MotoGP class. He then transitioned to the newly fashioned Moto2 class in 2010 and clinched the championship title in its inaugural season whereas using for Gresini.

Following his Moto2 success, Elias returned to MotoGP with LCR Honda however did not make a big impression. He spent the following three seasons accepting momentary MotoGP rides in between his Moto2 commitments. However, the Spaniard skilled a exceptional resurgence in his racing profession when he moved to the United States in 2016. He made a victorious debut in MotoAmerica and went on to say the championship title within the following season.

Elias continued to compete in MotoAmerica, ending because the championship runner-up in 2018 and 2019 whereas using for Suzuki. His last full marketing campaign passed off in 2020. Subsequently, Elias made sporadic appearances in races earlier than signing with Team Hammer/Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki for the 2023 season.

Following his fifth-place end within the latest race, Elias made a reside tv announcement that it marked his “final dance.” Expressing his gratitude, he thanked Chris Ulrich, John Ulrich, Team Hammer, and all those that had supported and helped him all through his profession. Elias acknowledged that his return to racing didn’t meet his expectations and concluded by expressing his appreciation for the pleasurable moments in his last race.

“Today was my final dance, my final race,” acknowledged Elias in an interview. 

Toni Elias’ retirement marks the top of an illustrious profession that noticed him compete on the highest degree of motorbike racing and go away an enduring impression on the game. Fans and fellow riders alike will undoubtedly keep in mind his fierce battles on the observe and his important contributions to the MotoGP and Moto2 championships. 

Now the true query is, what’s subsequent for Elias? It’s probably that Elias may have time to dedicate to his faculty based mostly in California but in addition spend quite a lot of his free time along with his spouse and three children.