"I’m looking forward to the next chapter of my life away from racing," says Christophe Pourcel
The former 250 Supercross and World Motocross champion had a rollercoaster career – from overcoming major injuries and personal issues – he competed at the highest levels of racing in Europe and the U.S. But he has finally met the end of his racing road this 2017.
On December 14, Christophe Pourcel took to Instagram to announce his retirement from racing.
(Image: instargram/cp_377)
In 2006, he was given the MX2 title of the FIM Motocross World Championship with Kawasaki’s support before being invited by Mitch Payton to race in 250 Supercross races with the Pro Circuit team that he owns in 2007. He absolutely dominated the main event, winning at the Phoenix SX, expressing his interest to move full-time to the U.S after which he returned to Europe to defend his MX2 title.
However, it was at an MXGP race in Ireland that his career started its stall. During the early rounds, racing against Antonio Cairoli, he crashed his bike, resulting in paralysis from the waist down to the upper legs, according to Pourcel’s post on the Vital MX message board. After a full year of recovery, he came back to the world of racing in 2009 with a contract to Payton’s team until 2010.After going back and forth between Europe and America, he gained a new injury in 2016 midway through the Monster Energy Supercross Series in which he fractured a vertebra; his second vertebra was then similarly fractured due to another hard crash at Washougal, WA.
(Image: instargram/cp_377)
He struggled severely at the 2017 Supercross season, his disinterest in the challenging tracks resulting in Pourcel being pulled from the competition and entered instead in the Canadian National Motocross Championship in which he finished second place overall.
Alas, his decision was ultimately a permanent rest from racing. In our eyes, this was the best decision he could ever make.
His Instagram post is as follows:
“Well, today is the day, I am pleased to announce my retirement from racing. It’s all I’ve ever known, but I have been so blessed and fortunate to race all around the world in front of many fans and to work with many great companies. From racing GP’s, winning a world championship, then coming to America, two super cross championships, winning races... and now finding a new life here in the states, racing has given me so much. Those good times don’t come without tough times, from my paralyzing accident in 2007, internal injuries, countless collar bones, to my most recent neck fractures... I’ve had my fair share of injuries but I’m happy to walk away happy and healthy. I’m looking forward to the next chapter of my life away from racing. I’ve sacrificed so much in life, things that are normal for most people, to dedicate my life to racing and training. I want to enjoy this time now with my wife, family, and friends and to say THANK YOU to all the great people and companies that have supported me throughout my career and to the fans who have enjoyed watching me race. It’s been a tough decision, I know I can still be competitive but my body has said enough with the injuries!! I’m 29 and have so much more life to live. Again thank you all and see you around!!”