Keith Amor retires from road racing
Leading Scottish road racer Keith Amor has sensationally quit the sport due to injury.
Amor damaged his right shoulder following two spills at the Isle of Man TT in June, including a practice crash at Quarterbridge and a slip-off in the wet at Union Mills in the second Supersport race, which was abandoned soon afterwards.
Despite undergoing surgery for the injury, which he later aggravated further after a crash at Leathemstown at the Ulster Grand Prix, Amor has been forced to call time on his career.
He took the decision after visiting a surgeon on Wednesday. Amor suffered a shoulder separation, also known as an AC (acromioclavicular) joint injury. He had major surgery in November, undergoing a complete shoulder reconstruction in an effort to return to the saddle in 2012.
However, the joint has gradually become weaker since he went under the knife and Amor, who has also injured his left shoulder to a lesser extent, has decided the time is right to hang up his leathers.
In Northern Ireland's Belfast News Letter newspaper, Amor said: "Unfortunately even though I have had the first round of operations, there is still damage that is resisting treatment. My right shoulder is proving difficult to keep under control.
"The left shoulder is less trouble but it's painful and in need of more treatment. Because of my ongoing injury problems I've decided to retire completely. My decision has been a difficult one and one which I have agonised over for the past three months.
"I started my career in 2001 with an orange newcomers bib at Kirkcaldy as a novice and ended it as a member of Honda Europe's TT Legends team. I'm a better man for my racing and it has kept me sharp, but I will leave it to the pack to chase the glory.
"I've had my wins and losses and I've a lot of terrific memories, but now it's a case of cheerio and cheers - it's been a pleasure."
The 39-year-old, who landed a high-profile ride in the factory Honda TT Legends team in 2011 alongside John McGuinness, was a popular winner at the North West 200 in the Superstock race in 2010 - his first international success on the roads.
He also tasted the victory champagne at the Ulster Grand Prix later that year, winning the second Supersport race.
Last year Amor finished second overall in the prestigious TT Championship behind team-mate McGuinness with a string of consistent results including a runner-up finish in the opening Supersport race on the KBMG Honda behind Bruce Anstey.
Amor also finished fourth in the Superbike, Superstock and second Supersport race and fifth in the Senior race at the TT last June.
He built up a huge following in the sport and despite only making his road racing debut at the North West 200 in 2005 quickly developed into one of the leading lights in road racing, culminating with his move to the factory Honda TT Legends team last year.
The affable Falkirk man has set up home in Cyprus and got engaged to his girlfriend Charley at Christmas. The couple are expecting their first child together as Amor contemplates life at a slower pace.
