Albertyn out of retirement for South African GP.

The sixteenth and final round of the 2004 MX1 World Championship will see Motocross legend - and former double 250cc world champion - Greg Albertyn come out of retirement to mark his last professional race, at the Grand Prix of South Africa.

Albertyn is South Africa's greatest motocross export. He dominated the SA Motocross circuits for 5 years before moving to Europe at the age of 17 to contest the world championships.

In 1992 Greg won the 125cc (now MX2) class. He then set his sights on the 250cc (now MX1) class, which he won in both 1993 and 1994. Albertyn also raced for South Africa in the Motocross des Nations.

'Albee' then moved over to America to take on the 250cc AMA Motocross and Supercross series. Unfortunately, a spate of bad luck and injuries plagued the likable Suzuki rider for four-years. But, not being one to give up easily, Albertyn continued with renewed determination. It all eventually paid off when he was crowned the 1999 AMA 250cc Motocross champion.

Greg went into the 2000 Supercross series as the favourite, but after two races, again dogged by injuries, he had to retire for the remainder of the series. Having rested and healed, he then went into the outdoor season looking to cash in on the previous years success.

Unfortunately, lady luck wasn't smiling and in the second race of the season he again got injured. 'Albee' then decided that it was to be his last year of professional Motocross.

Although competing in a few races from time to time, Greg effectively retired from the professional motocross circuit and decided to concentrate on his property development business. He is also involved in charity work throughout South Africa, especially AIDS related causes.

But on September 26, Albertyn will put on his 'race face' one last time as he rejoins Sylvain Gerboers' factory Suzuki GP team for the Sun City event (lower pic).

"I thought it'd be a great opportunity to come home and see my family, as well as have a fun race and ride in front of my home crowd. I just want to go out there, have fun, and if I could get a top 10 finish I'd be very happy," said 31-year-old Albertyn, who will be racing in front of his home crowd for the first time in 12 years.

Albee will ride a factory RMZ 450 four-stroke in the absence of Joel Smets, while Kawasaki bound Tanel Leok's will return to using the Motovision RM 250 two-stroke for the last world championship gathering of the season.

"Greg asked if we could help him out and Suzuki Japan were fine with the request, so he will become a member of the team for the Grand Prix and use the 450," explained Suzuki team manager Jens Johansson.

For owner and director Sylvain Geboers, the event will be an emotional reunion with a rider whose brief spell with the team was such a successful one.

"Although every race in the past when he was riding as part of the team we were looking at victory, we don't expect Greg to get a win for us this time!" he smiled. "He has asked us if he can enter the South African GP to make his last official race, and for us it is great to be able to offer him this opportunity. We simply cannot refuse because we owe him that much.

"When we were working together I knew that Greg was a demanding rider, so I fully expect him to be in good condition for the grand prix," added Geboers. "He was a nice person to be around and a pleasure to have as part of the team.

"I have only seen him a few times in the US since 1994 and I have never been to South Africa, so it will be nice to meet up with him and his family in Sun City. The event will be a nice example of the 'family' we often speak about existing within Suzuki and the sport of Motocross."