Dani Pedrosa has this afternoon announced his retirement from MotoGP competition at the Sachsenring.

Pedrosa says he did have some good options to continue into next season but other priorities in his life are taking precedent and it was time to call it a day.

“I would like to express how fortunate I feel to have this experience and opportunity in my life,” a tearful Pedrosa said in this afternoon’s press conference.

“It has been an amazing life to be racing for such an important team. I can say I have achieved way more than I expected and I am very proud of what I have done.

“I fulfill my dream of becoming a racer and I would like to take this time to thank Dorna and Honda, and Arai and Alpinestars, and my family and to all the fans.”

Pedrosa said he would like to remain in the paddock in one role or another as he has been there since he was 15.