Craig Anderson will retire at the close of this season. Image: Dan McCallum.

Multiple-time Australian Supercross and Motocross Champion Craig Anderson has announced that he will retire from competitive racing at the end of 2012.

Anderson will focus on expanding his Berry Sweet/Lucas Oil Yamaha team in 2013, with his final MX Nationals round coming this weekend at Coolum in Queensland.

“Motocross is all I’ve known since I was eight years old,” Anderson explained. “This is where I grew up, this is where I’ve won and lost. I can relate every part of my life to a track, a race, a bike or a team.

“It’s taken me all around the world, it’s educated me and it’s provided me with the greatest friendships and sadly even taken some away from me. I can’t and I won’t leave this sport but my role in it has to change.

“The fire I rode with at my best is gone and I can’t give my all to the grind of another race season on a bike. The realization of this has come in part by admitting that my passion has shifted.

“I want to run a race team that reflects the best of everything that I’ve learnt over the years and while I’ve got it off to a start, it can’t truly take-flight while I’m still riding.

“From the end of 2012 the management of my race team will be my sole priority and I will no longer be a full-time racer.”

Entering Coolum’s finale this weekend, Anderson currently sits 12th in the MX1 championship.