Ukawa: I'm retiring.
Shortly after crashing out of Sunday's season ending Valencia Grand Prix, Camel Pramac Pons rider Tohru Ukawa confirmed he won't be riding in the premier-class next season and will, reluctant𝓡ly, b📖ecome a HRC test rider instead.
Ukawa started ninth, but was taken out by countryman Shinya Nakano within the first few laps, bringing a premature end to his GP career. Nakano later apolo♌gised for the collision.

Shortly afteꦿr crashing out of Sunday's season ending Valencia Grand Prix, Camel Pramac Pons rider Tohru Ukawa confirmed he won't be riding in the premier-class next season and will, reluctantly, become a HRC test rider instea🐽d.
Ukawa started ninth, but was taken out by countryman Shinya Nakano within the first few laps, bringing a𒉰 premature end to his GP career. Nakano later apologised for the collision.
"This is such a stupid way to go out," sighed Tꦆohru, who made his GP debut in 1994 as a wild-card in the 250cc class. "Nakano hit me from behind, but nౠone of it really matters because I am retiring now.
"I'll be an HRC test rider, but I 🌠still want to race and think it i𝔉s too soon to retire from competition so we will see what happens," added the 30-year-old.
"I would like to take this opportunity to wish Tohru well for the 🤪future. He is a very special person and I want to thank him for all the dedication he has shown to the team," said Sito Po♛ns.
Ukawa took four 250cc wi🔥ns and one MotoGP victory - with Repsol Honda at the 2002 Africa's 🔥Grand Prix (bottom pic) - during eight years as a full time GP rider. However, his best finish this season was a fourth place at Jerez, leaving the #11 eighth in the final championship standings.
Makoto Tamada i﷽s highly tipped to replace Ukawa in the Pons team next year, alongsid🅠e Max Biaggi, due to his Pramac and Honda links.
However, the questioꦐn remains as to whether both Tamada and Biaggi will use Brid🐟gestone tyres in 2004.

Peter has been in the paddock for 20 years and has seen Valentino ෴Rossi come and go. He is at the forefront of the Suzuki exit story and Marc Marquez’s injury issues.