It’s a bit scary. Xavier Siméon, reigning EWC World Champion, has decided to retire from racing for personal reasons.
In a press release from Zelos, the management agency Siméon is associated with, he explains: “Today I reached the pinnacle of my career with a World Championship Endurance title. I realize how lucky I have been to live my passion to the fullest, but now my future lies elsewhere. I did what I had to do and this summer I realized how much I still have to do in other areas. You need to know how to say goodbye at the right time, and mine has come. I now want to pass on my passion and all my experience to young Belgian talent who wants to break through. I am thinking of Barry Baltus in Moto 2, but also of the young people who have yet to make their mark (such as Lorenz Luciano), and the students of the non-profit association Belgian Motorcycle Academy. I want to thank my parents who have supported me at every moment of my career, Francis Bata who launched me, Freddy Tacheny who helped me become who I am, my partners and sponsors who have believed in me throughout my career, my numerous fans who have supported me constantly, and all the people who have surrounded me in my career as a pilot. I am not saying goodbye to motorcycling, it will always be a part of my life, but in a different way.”
The decision comes of course also because Suzuki has decided to suspend its activities in the Endurance World Championship after this season. Even if Siméon’s current team, the Suzuki France team, would like to continue, but without factory support, for Siméon that appears to be no motivation to continue. Even though he still has a chance at a second title. The former Superstock 600 and 1000 champion, Moto2 winner and MotoGP rider runs a chocolate shop from the Jeff de Bruges chain in Andorra, where he resides, and plans to continue to focus on that, in addition to coaching young riders So. With that, the curtain falls on the career of one of the best road racers our country has ever known.
PALMARES XAVIER SIMEON
2022: winner 24 Heures Motos of Le Mans, 4th 24H SPA EWC Motos
2021: World Endurance Champion
2019-2020: World Endurance Championship
2019: MotoE World Championship – 5th
2018: MotoGP World Championship – 27th
2017: Moto2 World Championship – 23rd
2016: Moto2 World Championship – 17th
2015: Moto2 World Championship – 7th
2014: Moto2 World Championship – 14th
2013: Moto2 World Championship – 12th
2012: Moto2 World Championship – 21st
2011: Moto2 World Championship – 26th
2010: Moto2 World Championship – 30th
2009: FIM Superstock 1000 Cup winner
2006: European Superstock 600 winner
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