TOSELAND HANGS UP THE HELMET AFTER WSBK CRASH

The announcement of Toseland's retirement came following the likable Brit's visit to Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Mike Hayton, on September 8. The visit confirmed Toseland's worst fears that the damage sustained to his right wrist during a testing crash at Aragon in March is irreparable and no amount of physiotherapy can repair the injury. On the back of his crash at the wet Nurburgring SBK round on September 4, Toseland has been told that it is no longer safe for him to continue his career in professional motorcycle racing.

Consultant Mike Hayton said: "While (Toseland's) approach to recovery has been admirable and he has continued to make good progress, he has not recovered enough range of movement in the right wrist to continue as an elite motorcyclist. We had a difficult discussion on his future career, in which he showed a true sense of professionalism and an unselfish approach to making way for young, talented riders. To work with athletes like JT is a privilege and makes us do what we do."

For himself, Toseland made the following statement: "2011 has been a tough year for me and this week has been one of the most difficult of my life, but advice from professionals has made it clear that my crash at Aragon has left me with a permanent disability, which means that I will never again be able to ride competently at this level. While that's hard to hear, I have to place the emphasis on the safety of other riders in the paddock as well as myself and I realise that it's not fair to occupy a World Superbike seat with a team as professional as BMW Motorrad Italia when there are fit and talented riders available who are desperate for this type of opportunity.
"I've been extremely fortunate to have enjoyed a long and successful career doing something I love and I'm really grateful for that. I've been lucky enough to bounce back from serious injuries in the past and I've had the support of a great family, brilliant friends and a fantastic fanbase to see me through the highs and lows. I'd like to thank the BMW Motorrad Italia team for their support and understanding and all of the personal sponsors who have remained loyal to me, including MMCG, Henderson and Bennetts.
"I hadn't expected my retirement to come at this time or in this way and I'm extremely sad to be leaving racing behind, but I still have the memories of the amazing opportunities and success that this career has provided me with."

In his World Superbike career, Toseland competed in 201 races, securing 16 wins, 26 runner-up finishes and 19 third-place results. Toseland won the 2004 & 2007 World Superbike championships, the first with the Fila Ducati, the second with Ten Kate Honda. Toseland also finished second in the championship in 2006.