Tetsuya Harada has announced his retirement from motorcycle racing at a packed press conference this evening at Valencia attended by a whole host of
MotoGP manufactures as well as Max Biaggi.
Fighting back the tears, the normally poker faced Japanese explained that he felt he could no longer challenge for victories and will turn his back on the GP scene after 10 years following Sunday's season ending Valencia Grand Prix.
"I took this decision as I see no chance of further success now my rivals are ahead of me and there is no reason for me to compete if I can't be at the front," explained Harada. "I want to thank everyone that has made my career unforgettable. During these ten years in the World Championship I've really enjoyed myself."
The 1993 250cc World Champion fought countryman Daijiro Kato for the quarter litre Crown as recently as the 2001 season, when he was riding a factory Aprilia, but after moving to the MotoGP class this year he has been confined to the tail of the field on a two-stroke Honda NSR500, backed by Pramac.
Harada was controversially denied a second 250cc world title when he and
Loris Capirossi collided at the season decider - resulting in the Italian claiming the crown.
Pramac will run a Honda RCV for Max Biaggi next year.
