Loris Capirossi has announced his retirement from racing (not just MotoGP) at the end of the current racing season. The 38 year old racer appeared on the GP scene 22 years ago as tear away fast rider who won the 125cc World Championship in his rookie year. He also was a World Champion in the 250cc class when the class was most competitive with riders such as Max Biaggi, Luca Cadalora, Pierre Francesco Chilli, Loris Reggiani, Tetsuya Harada, Tadayuki Okada and later Valentino Rossi. Capirossi has decided to retire rather than race on a CRT machine or in World Superbikes.