Colin Edwards On His Last U.S. Race and the Future of Americans in MotoGP

After more than 20 years as a professional rider - and having raced in Grand Prix since 2003 - Edwards will bring an end to his successful and colorful career at the conclusion of the 2014 MotoGP World Championship. What this means to his fans in the U.S. is that the Red Bull Indianapolis Grand Prix is the last ever home round for the popular Texan rider and he will be much missed by fans around the World.

Regarding his approach to races this year with the NGM Forward Racing team Edwards states, “The attitude has not changed. I announced my retirement at the end of this year in Texas and I come here to race every weekend wanting to do what I’ve done for the last 22 years. I still have the hunger and the drive. But part of it is that you get a little older and a little wiser! I mean I’m 40 now, so when I hit the ground now it hurts more than it did when I was 20!”

“But we are focused on development and just trying to squeeze out that next tenth of a second or two per lap. In my case I need a half second here or half second there so I’m just trying to make the bike work. That has been the main thing.”

On the feeling of visiting World Championship venues for the last time as a rider and his last ever race at IMS, he says, “There are mixed emotions, usually when practices are over, I spend a bit more time waving to the crowd than I used to. Just knowing and understanding that this is going to be my last time at the track on a motorcycle. But on the other side, once you put your helmet on and your visor goes down it doesn’t really matter how old you are.”

Meanwhile, Edwards believes that he and fellow American Nicky Hayden have a duty to help bring through the next wave of young U.S. riders to the top level.

“On young American talent I wish I had better news for you,” he admits. “I think Nicky and I should get together and do something. I have the Texas Tornado Boot Camp training facility. We need to do something. If you want to make it in the sport it seems like you have to go over to the CEV (FIM CEV Repsol International Championship) if you want to get recognized. We will see what the future brings, but that is definitely part of the plan, to bring some young kids through for the future.”