MotoMatters.com | Kropotkin Thinks

At a dramatic press conference at the Barcelona race track, Sebastian Porto, Repsol Honda's 250 cc class rider, announced his retirement from motorcycle racing with immediate effect. The 27 year old Argentinian has had a dismal season so far, his best result a 7th place in Qatar, a severe disappointment for the man who came a very close second in the championship in 2004. Porto blamed his failure to adapt to the Honda as his main motivation for calling it quits, after moving to the Repsol Honda team from Aprilia.

The move will come as a shock to almost everyone in the motorcycle racing community. Big things were expected of his move into the team run by Alberto Puig, the man who helped Dani Pedrosa to two 250 cc world crowns. Porto stressed that his decision had nothing to do with the team. "It is totally my decision, and not one made by Repsol, Alberto Puig, or any other party", he said.

See the full report over at MotoGP.com