South African Grant Langston has retired from motocross after a highly successful career. Image: Simon Cudby/Racer X

South African Grant Langston has announced his retirement from professional motocross racing, the former World and AMA Motocross Champion revealing the news yesterday afternoon.

Langston won the FIM 125cc Motocross Grand Prix World Championship in 2000 before adding the American AMA title to his resume in 2003.

A switch to Pro Circuit Kawasaki in 2005 saw Langston capture his first Supercross crown in the East Coast Lites, also winning the West Coast Lites title one year later in 2006.

In a career that was also filled with injuries, Langston’s final title would come in 2007 when he won the AMA Motocross Championship for Yamaha on the YZ450F.

“For me, moving to America was a dream come true,” said Langston. “I’ve started my family here and have made great friends. I am also fortunate enough to have enjoyed a great international career and an incredible world-wide fan base.

“While walking away was a very difficult decision, I do intend to remain in the United States and stay in the industry in some capacity.”

Through the past several race seasons Langston has battled several injuries, specifically a medical condition where a melanoma tumor that developed in the left eye caused loss of vision. And that, Langston says, was the clincher.

“Dealing with recurring injuries takes the joy out of racing,” he said. “I can’t hang it out like I used to. And if I’m not able to compete at my best – I do not want to race.”

Throughout his career, along with his wife, Chelsey, the constant in Langston’s life had been his father, Gerald. Good-natured and always a champion for his son’s efforts, Gerald and Grant formed a father/son race team that’s a model for young up-and-coming racers and their dads.

They remain true to their cause to this day with Grant being the majority share-holder in Langston Motorsports, owned and operated by Gerald.

“My dad’s been a big part of my career, I love him a lot and look forward to working with him and the rest of my family at Langston Motorsports,” Langston concluded.