Published 08:54 IST, November 15th 2019

Triple MotoGP world champion Jorge Lorenzo retires

Three-times MotoGP world champion Jorge Lorenzo, who suffered a fractured spine this season, said Thursday he would retire following the Valencia Grand Prix

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Three-times MotoGP world champion Jorge Lorenzo, who suffered a fractured spine this season, said Thursday he would retire following Valencia Grand Prix. 32-year-old Spaniard who rides for Honda and claimed world title in 2010, 2012 and 2015 told a press conference he was pulling out following Sunday's Valencia race, last grand prix of season. rider who was also twice crowned 250cc champion was retained for next season by Honda but has suffered from poor form and serious injuries this season.

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Jorge Lorenzo retires

"This will be my last race in MotoGP and after this I am retiring from professional racing," Lorenzo said.

"I've always thought re are four significant days in life of a rider -- first one is when it's your first race, second one is your first win, n your first world championship -- t everyone can win world championship, but some of us made it," Lorenzo said.

"And n day you retire. As you all imagine here, I'm here to anunce that this day has arrived for me." 

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Lorenzo said that a series of spills earlier this season with Honda led him to consider retiring for first time in his career. "Injuries came to play an important role in my results and my performance so I was t able to be in a rmal physical condition to be fast," he said. Lorenzo fractured his spine in two places during opening practice for Dutch Grand Prix on June 28, bouncing into four somersaults and hitting gravel behind his bike.

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He described how he was picking himself up off gravel when he made a snap decision to quit sport. "OK Jorge, is this really worth it after what I have achieved," he said he asked himself.  "I am done with it, I don't want to race anymore."  Later he had a rethink and returned to circuit but reached a final decision after mature reflection. " truth is from that moment hill became so big and high for me I couldn't find motivation to continue to climb," he said. 

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08:49 IST, November 15th 2019