Anderson wins EMX2t title and announces 2022 retirement

Brad Anderson (Verde Racing KTM) secured the EMX2t title at today’s MXGP of Pietramurata and then announced that 2021 will be his final season as a professional racer.
The 39-year-old North Easterner, a two-time ACU MX1 British champion, won the two-stroke EMX300 championship in 2017 and 2018 but came up just short of taking last year’s inaugural EMX2t title.
“I’m pumped to win my third championship,” he said. “I was one point short last year – I was gutted about that – but hopefully it will be four next year and then I’ve decided that will definitely be it – 100 per cent my last year as a pro. Obviously, I’ll keep doing odd meetings and riding with my lad but next year will be my last doing it professionally.”
With a healthy 49-point lead at the start of the day, Brad knew he didn’t have to push too hard on a track he had very limited experience of.
“I was thinking more about the championship today so I knew two seconds would be enough. The track’s not one of my best. I think I was maybe here when I was in the 125s years ago but I can’t remember it. It took me until timed practice to get used to it but even then my time wasn’t the best.”
In typical Ando style, he had to grit his teeth and ride through the pain barrier to bring it home in race two.
“In the second moto I put my back out and it’s not looking so good so I’m glad I’ve won the championship today. I’m going to see a physio but I think it might have something to do with old age!”
Over a professional career stretching back for more than two decades, Brad’s been a constant contender in the British championship, has contested the Australian Nationals and competed in 125cc, MX1, MX3 and MXGP classes at world level.
“I did one full year of MXGP but I haven’t really had a good go at it. Nowadays you see a lot of kids going into the 125s and getting picked up and that’s the way forward I think but the opportunities weren’t there for me – especially being in England.”