Criville Announces Permanent Retirement

f1manoz · 4 May 2002, 14:06 (Ref:278367)

Quote:

Criville, who is the only Spaniard to have ever won the 500cc World Championship, announced his retirement from the sport this morning, telling reporters at a news conference that he would not be riding again for health reasons. Although the 32-yea-old's announcement did not come as a huge surprise, as already back in February he had told the world that he would be taking a break from the sport because of fainting fits that he has suffered since 1999, his retirement is one that has saddened many of his fans and those who have competed against him over the years. However undergoing an exhaustive series of medical tests the Spaniard has decided to retire permanently.

Sad day for Spanish motorcycle racing, but I hope he gets better soon. Such a lovely guy.

Wrex · 4 May 2002, 14:55 (Ref:278397)

Timing is everything, and Alex's was terrible. Born to the Doohan era, a bigger curse a bike racer could'nt have gotten.

Engine the peaceful life.

Winther · 4 May 2002, 15:04 (Ref:278400)

That was to be expected.
Ah wish that I still had those videos from the ninties

Sigh oh well.
Thanks for the great races Alex, it was fun and sometimes sad, but fast and full of style.

Speedworx · 4 May 2002, 20:37 (Ref:278609)

Its no great surprise. He couldn't find out what was causing the blackouts, so the only safe thing to do was to retire.

asha · 8 May 2002, 01:18 (Ref:279897)

Apparently stress is the cause of the fainting fits!
Alex did look bad, quite sad really because he is obviously cleaver and fit enough to race, but just can't get his head straight... after watching Jerez.. its understandable why he can't... they are blinking GP crazy!! (I'm thinking of moving there to live!)

Winther, you can buy motogp review videos !!
from sites like
http://www.motorsport.net.au
they are good guys, i've got many a video from there.
Being an australian site however, you might just like to see what is available and track it down locally.

Winther · 8 May 2002, 09:51 (Ref:280084)

Thanks Asha

We have a store that imports DVDs from Australia, maybe they can sneak in some gp-tapes??

asha · 8 May 2002, 10:44 (Ref:280120)

no prob bob!

elephino · 8 May 2002, 11:26 (Ref:280178)

It is a shame, but really inevitable that this announcement was coming. He obviously wasn't happy about it himself but knew it was the right thing to do.

He was a very good rider, and as mentioned already, just badly timed for being on the scene.

f1manoz · 8 May 2002, 11:29 (Ref:280184)

That happens to the best of them though.

Ralf Waldmann in the 250cc class is one case I've been reading about. He challenged Biaggi more often that not but only through major bad luck, plus the fact Biaggi was just that bit more talented, stopped him from winning one.

3M_chix · 10 May 2002, 05:36 (Ref:281488)

Aww...Good luck to him, and wishing him all the best in the future

~Sarah

f1manoz · 10 May 2002, 06:40 (Ref:281497)

I hope Criville may do what Alberto Puig is doing and become involved in helping Spanish motorcycling by tutoring young riders.

Or perhaps he could become involved with a manufacturer in an ambassadorial role.

It would be great to still have a gentleman like Alex still around the MotoGP paddock.

elephino · 10 May 2002, 10:55 (Ref:281744)

f1manoz, I agree. I think Alex could do a good job as team manager/owner/tutor and probably half a dozen other roles.

Airhead · 10 May 2002, 12:19 (Ref:281830)

Why are you guys so forgiving?

Alex was a good small capacity GP bike rider. Who, buy the luck of being born in Spain has taken up a major seat for longer than I can remember.

But, I remember him knocking Doohan off with a BS late braking, no brain move at Eastern Creek!

The sooner the likes of Alex C and Alex Barros retire the better.

f1manoz · 10 May 2002, 12:22 (Ref:281835)

It took me a while to forgive Alex for making that move in Australia in 1996. That was the dumbest move I had seen in a long time.

But IMO Criville is the best rider (besides Nieto Sr) to have come out of Spain.

And why do you knock Barros??? Sure, he didn't do anything for a long time, but he's been very competitive since joining the Pons team.

Airhead · 10 May 2002, 22:25 (Ref:282235)

Why

Because as you have said, he hasn't done anything for a loooooooonnng time. He is quick for a while then gets in everyones way. When did he last win a race?

Meanwhile, a great seat being kept warm by a pretender.

f1manoz · 11 May 2002, 01:24 (Ref:282314)

Quote:

Originally posted by AMoffat
When did he last win a race?

Criville won his last race in France 2000. He had a shocker in 2001, so did Ukawa, which was why Repsol said goodbye to him.

Barros won superbly in Italy last year in atrocious conditions.

asha · 11 May 2002, 09:41 (Ref:282439)

Barros may have won in Italy, but Aoki cross the line first and was the toast of the paddock.

Barros its time to go!
he annoys me.. he has been around on competive bikes for so long and has done absolutely NOTHING

Airhead · 11 May 2002, 09:45 (Ref:282443)

I'm with asha.

Out with the old and in with the new.

asha · 11 May 2002, 09:55 (Ref:282447)

if we say it again it might come true!!!

see ya later Barros!! dont call us we'll call you!

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