Top Supercross Rider McGrath Retires

Jeremy McGrath, the rider who did more than anyone else to make the stadium sport of supercross the fastest growing in motor racing, has decided to retire at age 31.

The seven-time American Motorcyclist Assn. supercross champion and the winner of a record 72 main events, rode in two races in Europe this month, but decided after returning home to call it a career. His decision was reported by former national champion Rick Johnson on www.supercross.com.

“I’ve always told myself that when I have other things on my mind besides giving 100% and winning, I would retire,” McGrath was quoted by Johnson.

Two recent injuries, one a dislocated hip and the other a concussion, contributed to his decision.

“Ever since [the injuries,] I’ve been tentative on the bike and not giving it 100%,” McGrath said. “I’m not going to go out and ride around mid-pack when people and companies have hired me to be near the front of the pack, and winning.”

McGrath, who had switched manufacturers from Yamaha to KTM after the 2002 season, finished seventh in the Netherlands and sixth in Switzerland in world championship supercross events won by veteran David Vuillemin of France and rookie Chad Reed, who is moving up to the 250cc class after winning the 125cc eastern regional title last year.

The 2003 AMS supercross season will open Jan. 4 at Edison Field in Anaheim with Ricky Carmichael, of Havana, Fla., defending his championship. Between 1991, when McGrath came out of Murrieta to win the first of two western 125cc titles, and 2001, when he was dethroned by Carmichael, McGrath was the most exciting and successful rider in the sport’s history. During that period, supercross moved from an off-breed relative of outdoor motocross into a stadium sport that attracted capacity crowds at many of the country’s leading sports venues.

McGrath, who began his racing career riding bicycle-motocross as a teenager, won his first 250cc supercross championship as a rookie in 1993 and won six of the next seven years. In 1997, after switching to a new bike, he finished second, then also was second in 2001 to Carmichael. Last year he was third.

He also won consecutive world championships in 1994 and 1995.