Dan Reardon has officially announced he will retire at the end of the 2012 season. Image: Simon Makker/Makkreative.com.

Accomplished Australian Motocross and Supercross racer, Daniel Reardon will retire from professional competition at the end of 2012 after years at the pinnacle of the sport.

After much consideration, Reardon has made the choice to hang up his helmet at age 26 following a successful career which was kick-started from his first race at just five years old.

The Queensland-based rider has captured multiple national Motocross and Supercross titles, and it was success on a domestic level that catapulted him to a career in the United States in 2007.

He recorded multiple top five finishes in his debut AMA Supercross season and made a name as a respected and revered competitor as he stepped up to the 450 ranks.

Over the past few years, his interest in training and conditioning has been heightened and he has chosen to follow a new path in the fitness industry while he has youth on his side.

“It’s been a tough decision but one I wanted to announce early to ensure I have the time to thank and recognise everyone that has played a part in my career,” said Reardon.

“Without my sponsors, supporters, friends and fans I wouldn’t have been able to get to where I am, and for the role they have played I am extremely grateful.

“I’ve chosen to retire because I want to, not because I’m in a position where I have to.

“Being a racer is about digging inside yourself to find that extra strength or stamina and that’s where my interest in fitness and training has stemmed from.

“I’ve been fortunate enough to have a number of great trainers and I’ve realised that this is the direction I too want to take.

“It’s most people’s dream to make their hobby become their job and I’m fortunate that I’ve been able to ride moto for much of my life and now pursue another hobby as a career.”

“I’ll leave with many great memories of both the people in this sport and my time within it.

“One of the races I’ll take with me for a long time is the one I had with Chad Reed back at Raymond Terrace in 2006 which led to the opportunities I’ve had in America.

“I’ll miss the sport and the people who make it what it is but hope to maintain an involvement in the industry through the new direction I’m taking.”

Reardon will see out his final season of competition with JDR Motorsports in the remaining Monster Energy MX Nationals rounds and the new Australian Supercross Championship.