Matt Phillips calls time on EnduroGP career
By TMX Archives on 20th Jul 17
Reigning EnduroGP World Champion Matt Phillips has sensationally announced that he is set to walk away from the series at the end of 2017.
The CH Racing Sherco rider has confirmed that he will retire from EnduroGP at the end of this season and head home to Tasmania.
Not taking this decision lightly, the four-time Enduro World Champion has made up his mind largely due to the large amount of time spent away from his home in recent years. But also as a result of having become disillusioned with the EnduroGP series itself.
"This was not an easy decision to take but one I felt I must," said Phillips. "It's now my fifth year living in Italy, racing the Enduro World Championship. I've been rewarded with four world titles and I'm currently fifth in the EnduroGP class. It's certainly been a dream run of results and I'm very satisfied to have worked respectively in two of the best teams in the business. I've also made many great life friends along the journey."
"I'm still really looking forward to the rest of this season. We have been working hard with the bike and I know to expect some awesome races from now on. Portugal, the new style race in England and of course the final in Germany will all be amazing."
Matt, already a multiple Australian Enduro Champion, moved to Europe in 2013 where he dominated the Enduro Junior class. Three more world titles later and the 24-year-old has decided to call it a day. Following the final round of the 2017 championship in Germany on October 20-22 he'll head home to Tasmania.
What Matt will do next isn't yet clear. While racing dirt bikes in Australia will likely keep him busy in the years to come he's also looking at bringing the world championship to Tasmania.
"While I'm out I will be trying to bring the championship to Australia and my home state of Tasmania, to share with our Aussie fans and show the level of racing in Australia to the world stage."
On the wider subject of today's world championship tour Phillips sees the need for significant change.
"We need to take the championship to the people, include them in the race, without opportunity people don't have interest. By that I mean the motor clubs need to make money from running an event, local riders need the opportunity to race and be seen.
"When I first came to race in 2013 the world championship was amazing," added Matt. "Great venues, exciting racing and big numbers of riders and teams. Every year since, it's been getting somewhat smaller. Despite some amazing races over the last four years, I can still see a strain on the paddock.
"The new class structure is killing the championship and hasn't generated any extra public interest. There are less and less opportunities for private riders now I know because many are my friends."
One thing that's certain is Matt's presence in the world championship paddock will be missed. A rider that very much did things his way, what Phillips has achieved in recent season is nothing short of incredible.
"I would like to say a huge thank you to all my fans and the people I've had the pleasure to work with over the last five years.
"Especially to my Italian friends who have been a family to me and Catherine in our day-to-day lives. Thank you. It's been an epic journey."
