Former World Superbike Champion Carlos Checa has announced today in the Jerez World Superbike paddock he will retire from racing at the age of 41.

Checa has suffered with injury for the entire year and has also struggled with the new Ducati Panigale, on which he set pole at Phillip Island and then crashed at Honda corner, setting off a tough year.

It is believed that both Kawasaki and Althea Aprilia tried to tempt Checa into another season but the Japanese manufacturer have apparently opted to retain Loris Baz alongside Tom Sykes.