Elias is a 17-time grand prix winner across the 1🍒25cc, 250cc, Moto2 and MotoGP classes, most notably beating Valentino Rossi to the line for victory in a dramatic 2006 Estoril encounter (pictured).

It was also Elias' fir💮st premier-class r𒈔ostrum and was to be the final MotoGP win by a satellite rider until Jack Miller at Assen in 2016.

More podiums, but not wins, followed for Elias over the next three seasons in the revised 800cc MotoGP class, before he dropped down to the ne♊wly formed Moto2 category with Gresini and became its inaugural world champion in 2010.

That success propelled Elias back to MotoGP, on an LCR Honda, but he struggled to make an impact and spent the next three season🥂s accepting stand-in MotoGP rides in-between Moto2.

The Spaniard revived his racing career in spectacular style with a move to the US in 2016, winning on his ꦇMotoAmerica debut and claiming the title the following season.

Championship runner-up in both 2018 and 2019, again with Suzuki, Elias’ final fu💯ll campaign was in 2020.

As♕ with his grand prix career, Elias returned to make occasional appearances over the following seasons before signing with Team Hammer/Vision Wheel𓆉 M4 ECSTAR Suzuki for the 2023 campaign.

But after 𒊎a fighting fifth place on Sunday, Elias announced live on 🌃TV that it had been his “last dance”.

“We hꦬad a great battle,” Elias said of the race. “It’s been a big effort, so nice to finish like this.”

When asked about the next round, Elias dropped the ret🅷irement n🧜ews:

“Well, today was my last dance, my last race.

"I want to thank Chris Ulrich, John Ulrich and Team Hammer. Everybody who has supportedไ me, worked and helped me during this peꦐriod.

“The return has not been like I was expecting. S🎐o thank you very much. I had fun in the last one.”