Australia’s Mat Mladin has confirmed his retirement from AMA competition at the end of this season, by then he may have taken his seventh superbike title and resigned from the sport still at the top of his performance.

Announcing his retirement from America in an open statement, Mladin confirmed that his “career has been long and above and beyond my wildest expectation”.

The statement explained: “I won my first national championship on dirt bikes back in 1981 (28 years ago) and have had an amazing career ever since.

“If I had my time again, I would not change a single decision I have made, in life or in racing.“I would like to thank my team for their constant hard work. Without these guys, the 80-plus race wins and multiple championships would not have been possible.

“I wish to thank my fans. I want you to know that you all have helped me achieve so much. I will miss you.”

For those into significant reading, Mladin has only confirmed retirement from AMA competition, but at 37 years old there seems to be little chance he will carry on his career in another field – not even national superbike, where rumours have surfaced that he may have followed the path of his AMA colleague Ben Spies.

People who enjoyed some saga tussles with Mladin in the last couple of seasons of AMA superbike, have been a surprise in this season’s world superbike title.

Mladin will also exit motorcycle competition as a two-time Aussie road racing hero, with a year of MotoGP 500cc following him.

Mladin was taken straight from the Australian Superbike Championship to go into grand prix competition for Cagiva in 1993, however only stayed a year before the Italian concluded not to take up the opportunity of extending his term.

He came back to Australia in 1994, confirming never to return to world championship racing unless he was on challenging equipment.

After reconsolidating in Australia, interrupted by a heavy paraglider accident which broke his leg quite seriously, the upcoming Mladin finally travelled to America, where he was victorious with all six AMA titles (1999-2001, 2003-2005) on Suzukis.

The New South Welshman is now due to come back to Australia permanently to run his business, Bike Gear Warehouse.

Mladin rejected last weekend’s series of the AMNA circuit at Topeka, stating issues with safety, but still heads by 73pts over colleague Tommy Hayden with only three rounds left.

Aussie Scott Charlton (Suzuki), who is the second representative for badly hurt David Anthony, was 12th and 10th in the superbike competitions at Topeka, whilst Aaron Gobert (Aprilia) placed 14-11 in the SportBike group.