Ivan Tedesco Retires From Racing On His Terms
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Ivan Tedesco in action - Photo: Simon
Cudby[/caption]
"It has been a roller coaster since I started racing pro at the end
of 1999 at Millville," says veteran racer Ivan "Hot
Sauce" Tedesco in announcing his retirement from RCH Soaring
Eagle Suzuki this weekend. "I have had a lot of success... and a
lot of failure. However, the one thing I can do is to walk away
from this deal knowing I gave it my all every time I got on my
motorcycle. In the end that's all you can ask of a person - give it
your all."
Give it his all he most certainly did. Despite a plague of
injuries, he was the 2004 125cc West Coast Supercross Champion
(winning seven of eight races that year). He repeated as 2005 125cc
West Coast SX champ and was also the 125cc Outdoor National
Champion in 2005. However it is his role on the Motocross of
Nations winning teams that are perhaps the high water mark of is
illustrious career as Team USA beat the best in the world in 2005,
2006 and again in 2009!
After that, it was the move to the 450cc class. "I made the
decision to go over to Suzuki to be teammates with Ricky
Carmichael. I learned so much from RC. I am thankful for his
friendship, the opportunity to train with him and the help his
parents have always given me. They treated me like family and did
everything they could to help. I had a successful rookie Supercross
season finishing fourth behind Carmichael, Stewart and Reed."
However a lot of heartache came after seven years that initial
success in the 450 class, primarily due to injury. While Ivan
enjoyed proving the pundits wrong, the time has finally come to
call it a career almost 14 years to the day.
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Ivan Tedesco 2014 RCH Suzuki Team -
Photo: Simon Cudby[/caption]
"It's never easy to quit something you've done for so long, but the
time has come where racing just isn't the same as it used to be,"
says Tedesco. "I always told myself when the day comes that I'm not
competitive anymore; I need to walk away; that time is now."
However he won't be going too far away from the RCH Soaring Eagle
pits as he will continue to test the Suzuki's and help get the
bikes ready for the team's future riders.
"From RCH's perspective, we are honored that he finished out his
illustrious career with RCH Soaring Eagle and on a Suzuki," says
co-principal Carey Hart. "We are grateful to have Ivan's testing
expertise for RCH moving forward... It just wouldn't be the same
not having Hot Sauce to spice things up around here!"
"I have nothing to be bummed about," says Tedesco. "I can say I
have never given less than 100% and have enjoyed proving people
wrong. I'm grateful for the opportunities I have been given and the
friendships I have made. I love dirt bikes and racing and look
forward to finding my new career within the sport because this is
what I love to do."
"Thank you to my fans, who have always had my back and motivated me
to keep going! I hope to see you all at the races soon," concludes
Tedesco.
About RCH Racing Soaring Eagle
RCH Racing is in its second season of the partnership between Ricky Carmichael and Carey Hart to campaign the 2014 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing. Ricky Carmichael merged his Suzuki relationship and technical development with the established five year marketing giant of Hart & Huntington Racing in 2013. The RCH Racing Soaring Eagle Team continues its partnerships with Suzuki, Fox, Dodge, Sycuan Casino, Yoshimura and Bel-Ray. Stay up to date on all RCH Racing Soaring Eagle news; follow us on Instagram and Twitter @RCHRacing and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/rchracing.
Source: RCH Racing
