Former Speedway GP winner Antonio Lindback has announced his retirement from the sport.
Brazil-born Lindback, who last raced in the Speedway GP series in 2020, confirmed the news to Swedish broadcaster SVT on Monday.
Commenting on reports from Rospiggarna boss Mikael Teurnberg that he was walking away from the sport, Lindback responded: “The last glow is not there, so it's better to say thank you and goodbye.”
The Rio Rocket raced to three Speedway GP victories – triumphing at Italian track Terenzano and Polish venue Torun in 2012, as well as topping the podium at the 2016 FIM Speedway GP of Great Britain – Cardiff.
In all, Lindback raced 110 SGP rounds, scoring 746 championship points and reaching 16 finals.
He is also a two-time FIM Speedway World Cup gold medallist with Sweden, lifting the Ove Fundin Trophy at British track Poole in 2004 and at Denmark’s famous Vojens Speedway Center in 2015.
Despite hanging up his kevlars, Lindback doesn’t plan to be completely lost to the sport, even if he won’t compete on the track.
He said: “I have thought about it for a long time. In the end, it feels just right. I want to be involved and be able to help in teams and be a mentor and participate in that way. As for sitting on the bike and riding myself, that's something others can do now.
“I've been agonising over this decision for quite some time, so I know I'm doing the right thing. It's only in the last few days that it emerged.
"I have to take the next step and see what I can do going forward.”