LONDON, England - A legend in his own right, World Superbike champion and MotoGP veteran Colin Edwards will retire from racing at the end of the 2014 season.
The 40-year-old Texan is a double World Champion in superbikes but never had the same success in MotoGP, where he has raced since 2003 without winning.
Take a look at one of Edwards most memorable moments when he saved himself and his Yamaha from crashing in the 2008 Jerez MotoGP qualifying round.
VIDEO: 'Tornado's awesome 2008 save
The 'Texas Tornado' said ahead of the 2014 Grand Prix of the Americas in Austin, Texas: "I don't even know how to say it, I rehearsed it so many times - 2014 will be my last year racing motorcycles."
The Houston-born rider was partnered with Valentino Rossi at Yamaha from 2005-07 before making way for Jorge Lorenzo, now a double World Champion.
Nine times World champion Rossi said: "I am very sad about the news of Colin's retirement, as he is one of my best friends in the paddock. He is a great guy and a great rider."
MotoGP's 21-year-old World champion, Marc Marquez, added: "Colin started riding at the top when I was only two years old. I hope I can ride for as long as he has."
The 40-year-old Texan is a double World Champion in superbikes but never had the same success in MotoGP, where he has raced since 2003 without winning.
Take a look at one of Edwards most memorable moments when he saved himself and his Yamaha from crashing in the 2008 Jerez MotoGP qualifying round.
VIDEO: 'Tornado's awesome 2008 save
The 'Texas Tornado' said ahead of the 2014 Grand Prix of the Americas in Austin, Texas: "I don't even know how to say it, I rehearsed it so many times - 2014 will be my last year racing motorcycles."
The Houston-born rider was partnered with Valentino Rossi at Yamaha from 2005-07 before making way for Jorge Lorenzo, now a double World Champion.
Nine times World champion Rossi said: "I am very sad about the news of Colin's retirement, as he is one of my best friends in the paddock. He is a great guy and a great rider."
MotoGP's 21-year-old World champion, Marc Marquez, added: "Colin started riding at the top when I was only two years old. I hope I can ride for as long as he has."