Double champ Bolley quits MX - to go road racing!

Two-time 250 Motocross World Champion Frederic Bolley has announced his retirement from Motocross world championship racing at the end of the 2002 season. Bolley's career as a professional rider is not at an end however, as he intends to follow countryman Jean-Michel Bayle and make the switch to road racing!

The key motivation behind the young Frenchman's decision to seek a new challenge has been the feeling that he does not get the same enjoyment out of Motocross racing as he used to.

Involved in off-road sport since 1983 and achieving his personal goals by winning two MX250 world championships in 1999 and 2000 along the way, he has chosen to leave the sport at a point where he is still competing at the highest level. Bolley scored five podiums out of nine MX250 races this year and is currently holding fourth place in the championship standings.

Clearly the decision has not been an easy one for Bolley, but he clearly hasn't been enjoying the season so far. "I have found it very hard to make the decision to leave Motocross, the last weeks it has been the only thing on my mind," he admitted. "Motocross has been my life and the sport has brought me so much joy that it is very difficult to stop. Especially now that I have found such a great team to work with and a bike that suits me so well. But most important for me is that I really enjoy what I do and I know for me this is the main factor to be able to be competitive at the highest level."

However, the 28 year old is not hanging up his racing boots as he has found another dream to pursue; "For the last few year my main hobby has been riding my Yamaha YZF-R1 on the track and in 2000 I competed in the Bol d'Or 24 hour on a Superstock 900 machine. My team led the race until we had to retire with a mechanical problem and that's when I really got a taste for it and now I want to see if I can become a professional road racer."

The path to a successful road racing career is still not clear for the Frenchman, though the ambition is apparent; "I really want to start a new adventure with Yamaha, I hope I can stay with the 'family'. My goal for next year is to focus on Supersport 600 racing, but I would also like to do some Supermotard racing when my schedule allows, just for the fun of it. Much will also depend on what Yamaha's goals and opinions are."

Michele Rinaldi, Yamaha's long-term partner in factory Motocross racing, was clearly sorry to loose such a competitive rider, but respects Bolley's decision; "We are sad to see Frederic go, he is one of the best riders in the championship. We have both a strong professional and a close personal relationship with him that could result in a lot of future success.

"Knowing his talent and mentality it would not surprise me if continues his winning ways in other forms of motorsport. We will follow his future activities closely and wish him continued success," said Rinaldi.