Flash Gordon retires at 18!

Teenage whizzkid Gordon Crockard scored a debut win in the Irish Super Moto Championship at Bishopscourt, Co Down yesterday and promptly announced he had retired from the sport!

"I just wanted to prove that I could win this type of event," said 18- year-old Crockard, who is the Ulster Motorcross champion. "I borrowed a bike from a friend and I had a fantastic day.

"As the meeting went on I felt more and more confident and in the final I rode one of my best ever races." said the teenager.

Crockard's win was a shock success for a first timer. The hot favourite was Cumbrian tycoon and racehorse owner Paul Bird, who last year won the overall championship.

However, Bird was caught out by a grassy section of the track made slippery after constant rain.

"I never expected these conditions and I didn't have the right sort of tyres to ride them," he said. "My Honda was the fastest in the race as I proved on the road sections of the course, but once I got to the grass I was going nowhere. I was bitterly disappointed."

Bird managed to finish third behind another Ulster rider, Alan Morgan, and added: "I'll be back for the next round and I'm going to demolish everyone."

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