Poggiali comments on retirement from World Championship

In a statement released today by his former Team Manager Eros Braconi from the Campetella Racing outfit, Manuel Poggiali has revealed his feelings on leaving the World Championship.

The San Marino rider, who was 125cc World Champion in 2001 and 250cc World Champion in 2003, made the decision with his team to leave MotoGP earlier this month and he will now go in search of new challenges away from Grand Prix racing.

`As time passes by life presents new motivations - and new goals present themselves,´ said Poggiali philosophically. `What I have achieved as a rider was amazing and I have enjoyed it tremendously. But now the time has come to concentrate on new things and the first of those will be the birth of my new son.´

`I feel like I now want to be closer to my family and friends, something which I have only been able to do for short periods during my riding career,´ he added, before going on to thank all those around him for their recent support, singling out his father for specific praise.

`I don´t want to forget about racing completely, I love the atmosphere at Grands Prix, so I might get involved again in a different role,´ revealed the 25 year-old.

Meanwhile, Piaggio Group boss Giampiero Sacchi paid his tributes to Poggiali´s talents, stating, `Manuel represented all of our brands and won races with all of them. He got his first podium with Aprilia, his first GP win with Derbi and his first unforgettable title with Gilera. Then he took a remarkable title in 250cc with Aprilia.´

`Because of those achievements and because of his personal qualities he has been a big part of our success story and he is remembered with great fondness by all those who were lucky enough to work with him,´ continued Sacchi. `He has made a difficult, but honest and open decision. He takes with him our very best wishes for whatever he decides to do in the future.´