'It's time to stop' - Nobby ends 12-year career.

The most talented 125cc rider never to win a world championship, Noboru 'Nobby' Ueda, has joined countryman Tetsuya Harada in announcing his retirement from Grand Prix racing after 12 years.

The 35 year-old veteran has been an inspiration to the younger Japanese riders entering the world championship, always on hand with help and advice when needed, he has endeared himself to friends and rivals alike.

His arrival in Grand Prix racing in 1991 was nothing short of sensational. He made his debut at the Japanese Grand Prix, at Suzuka, and won first time out, despite two crashes in qualifying.

Ueda finished third in the following GP, in Australia, before going on to record another first victory at the Spanish GP a Jerez, his first ever European. That race win was truly memorable as he outfought former double 125c World Champion Fausto Gresini to win by 0.9secs.

Nobby then crashed out of the next race, in Italy, in spectacular style, but his two victories and two additional podium finishes saw Ueda eventually finish fifth in his World Championship debut season.

That year was the first of his five top-five championship positions, which included twice finishing second, in 1994 and 1997.

Without doubt the most talented 125cc rider never to win a world championship title, Ueda's record speaks for itself. He has started in no less than 160 Grands Prix scoring 13 race victories, finished second 12 times and third on 14 occasions.

But his open and friendly character belies a steely resolve: Ueda was a winner, he was not prepared to settle for less, and he often paid a heavy price for his determined approach to racing. The latest heavy crash of his career, at Mugello in June, left him with a serious pelvic injury, which has plagued him ever since, hastening his retirement.

"It's time to stop," said Ueda with a wry smile. "My body tells me I have to take care of myself. I will return to Japan for treatment, get completely fit again, then make a decision on my future. Whatever happens I would prefer to continue working in Grand Prix racing."

"It's a sad decision for me and quite difficult to make as Grand Prix racing was my life. For sure I will return but only after I am completely rehabilitated. I would like to thank everybody who has helped me in my career. The teams that I have raced for, the sponsors and the fans, everybody. I will miss racing but I will be back," concluded the bespectacled Japanese.

If his future hopes are realised, Ueda will be an asset to the sport in whatever capacity he returns. A multi-talented rider fluent in both Italian and English, the principle languages of motorcycle Grand Prix racing, his talents will not go unemployed.

Ueda has recorded more points scoring finishes than any other 125cc rider in the history of the sport, 112, and has also outscored any other 125cc rider, taking 1,412 points from his 160 races!

He has started from the front row 53 times, including 19 pole positions, and set the fastest lap in 11 races.

Happy retirement Nobby - you've earned it.