It's a surprise, but it's over: In peak season MotoAmerica where he had found a golden refuge, Toni Elias hangs up the leather and ends his career!
At 40 years old, the first Moto2 world champion in history is obviously known to Grand Prix enthusiasts, and we had also drawn up his complete portrait in these columns, but the surprise comes from the announcement of his withdrawal with immediate effect, after only three rounds of the American Superbike championship.
The man who climbed all the GP ranks from the 125 in 2000 to arrive in MotoGP in 2005 before going back and forth between MotoGP and Moto2 until 2015, explains to RoadRacingWorld.com that the decision became obvious quite suddenly: It was THE time to stop.
« It was the last. When you have these thoughts, it's difficult, but the time has come. I'm very grateful to John [Ulrich, co-founder of Team Hammer] and Chris [Ulrich, VP of Operations of Team Hammer], and the whole team, for supporting me, for working hard and to have been patient. It was good. It's been three rounds, but I was suffering myself. I never felt comfortable and it's time to stop.
It's not about the motorcycle. It's about how you feel, your brain, your heart, your thoughts, how you attack, how you brake, how you open the throttle, how you are aggressive. I'm not here anymore.
Until the last moment, I worked hard, I pushed hard, but it was in the back of my mind. I thought about this a few days ago and I can't continue. It's time. It's time to let young riders take the place and attack. »
Certainly, Catalan #24 may be small in size, but big in his humanity!
Respect, champion!
