Tyla Rattray will retire at the end of the 2015 season, an announcement he made in a recent interview with Adam Wheeler. The 30-year-old, father of two, recently said that the opportunity to be teammates with Ryan Villopoto, who announced his retirement yesterday, delayed his decision.
“It was already getting hard at the end of 2014 but with Ryan signing I thought I’d have someone try, push and improve with what was the fastest guy in the world on a motorcycle,” he told Dirt Biker Rider recently.
The South African won the 2008 MX2 FIM World Motocross Championship—his first and only world title—before coming to the United States to race full-time in 2009. Rattray spent four years in the US (2009-2013) before returning to Europe in 2014 with Red Bull IceOne Husqvaran Racing Team. He spent one injury riddled season with the team before the two mutually parted ways last off-season.
At the MXGP of Latvia, MXGP pit reporter Lisa Leyland spoke with Rattray about his decision to retire, Ryan Villopoto and more.