Es ist die Überraschung des ersten Tages 2012. Mika Ahola beendet seine Karriere in der Enduro-WM, obwohl er eigentlich schon einen Vertrag mit Jotagas in der Tasche hatte.
„Mit 37 Jahren und als ältester WM Titelgewinner wird es für mich Zeit für das Karriereende“ berichtet der fliegende Finne in einer Pressemeldung.
Ahola konnte als ältester Fahrer 5 WM-Titel in Folge in den 3 verschiedenen Hubraumklassen holen, dies ist einmalig und wird so schnell keiner wieder schaffen.
Hier die Pressemeldung in Englischer Sprache:
After 21 years of Enduro competitions at the age of 37 Ihave come to a decision that took a lot of self-examination and soul-searching. The outcome was that I don’t have anymore enough ambition to continue so I will retire from racing. I have given everything I’ve got for this sport and although it has taken much, it has given me back more than I could have ever imagined when I started racing. First I won everything in my homeland, Finland, and become the fastest snow rider in the world. Then I threw myself in the world championships riding for different Italian teams and proved myself to be fast but 5 times landing just one position short of a world champion’s title. Then, against all odds I started winning world titles at the age when most talked about retiring. It has been a hell of a ride: 5 consecutive world titles won in all three categories and the last one won as the oldest champion of the history! With these new world records set on 2011 I feel my ambition for this sport completely satisfied. You can add up also 3 overall champion’s title seven though FIM hasn’t recognized overall titles since 2004. I have been also the fastest rider overall at the I.S.D.E. 3 times and 7 times I have been also a rider of Finland’s winning team. My ambition for this sport has been completely satisfied and I feel like it’s time for me to move on and see what else the world has to offer than racing! Finally, I want to thank all the people who have supported me throughout my racing career and all the riders I have been battling with!
Mika Ahola