Texas Tornado Colin Edwards Bids Farewell To MotoGP | ICON

The 10th round of the 2014 MotoGP season at Indianapolis Motor Speedway marked a milestone for World Championship roadracing, as Colin Edwards bid farewell to the sport. After making his name on the American roadracing scene, winning the AMA 250 Grand Prix title in 1992 over the likes of Kenny Roberts Jr., and strong finishes in the AMA Superbike Championship the two years following, Edwards moved to the international stage in 1995.

In 1998 Edwards won his first World Superbike Championship races, going on to finish runner-up to Carl Fogarty in 1999. The next three seasons cemented Edwards in the history books of international roadracing when he won the World Superbike Championship in 2000 and 2002. The latter ended in what many consider the most dramatic conclusion to a roadracing championship—and one of the best races—in history, beating then-champion Troy Bayliss at the final round of the season to clinch the title.

Edwards joined the MotoGP paddock in 2003 and, after stints with Aprilia and Honda, landed with Yamaha, a relationship that lasted through seven seasons of Grand Prix competition and saw multiple podium finishes. Beyond being successful as a racer, Edwards won the respect of his rivals and the hearts of fans and media the world over for his ultra-direct, shoot-from-the-hip attitude.

He has also immersed himself in racing throughout his career, competing in the off-road Race of Champions with fellow Americans Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon, as well as winning the Suzuka 8-Hours three times. His love of extracurricular racing and riding motorcycles was evidenced in 2011 when Edwards built his Texas Tornado Boot Camp riding camp to train and entertain himself and any fans or riders who sign up.

After 12 years in the premier class, the Grand Prix at Indianapolis represented Edwards’ last event on American soil and as a full-time racer. A lifelong motorcyclist, racer, and Texan, Edwards will retire to his ranch north of Houston to spend his days teaching at his camp and relaxing with his wife and three children.