Monday, 4th November 2002

The most talented 125cc rider never to win a world championship, Noboru 'Nobby' Ueda, has joined countryman Tetsuya Harada in announcing his retirement from Grand Prix racing after 12 years.

Ueda's open and friendly character belies a steely resolve: He was a winner, not prepared to settle for less, and often paid a heavy price for his approach to racing.

The latest heavy crash of his career, at Mugello, left him with a serious pelvic injury - which hastened his retirement...

"It's a sad decision for me and quite difficult to make as Grand Prix racing was my life. For sure I will return but only after I am completely rehabilitated. I would like to thank everybody who has helped me in my career. The teams that I have raced for, the sponsors and the fans, everybody. I will miss racing but I will be back," concluded the bespectacled Japanese.

If his future hopes are realised, Ueda will be an asset to the sport in whatever capacity he returns. A multi-talented rider fluent in both Italian and English, the principle languages of motorcycle Grand Prix racing, his talents will not go unemployed.

Ueda has recorded more points scoring finishes than any other 125cc rider in the history of the sport, 112, and has also outscored any other 125cc rider, taking 1,412 points from his 160 races!

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He has started from the front row 53 times, including 19 pole positions, and set the fastest lap in 11 races.

Happy retirement Nobby – you've earned it.

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