TOMMY HILL says his decision to take a break from racing in 2013 was one of the hardest he has had to make.
The Lingfield rider announced last week that he is taking a sabbatical after becoming frustrated in his attempts to further his career.
The 2011 British Superbike champion had wanted to move onto the global stage, whether that be World Superbikes or Moto2, however the cost of doing so has proved too high.
"I have been trying long and hard over the last few months to make a step up in the sport, I have started to realise the difficulty and what funds it takes to allow me to excel from my current position and move forward with my career," the 27-year-old said.
"I have spent several years now riding at my current level, and sacrificing everything. Winning the title last season I hoped would have given me the opportunity to secure a ride in a higher tier.
"Over the last few years we have seen the British Superbike Championship grow in stature and gain a bigger following, but there comes a point in anyone's life when they want to move forward, or feel they need to have a break from whatever they are doing in life."
Speaking to the Mirror before the announcement, Hill warned that motorcycling as a sport cannot continue to go down the path it is on.
"Suzuki in World Superbikes was an option," he revealed. "Initially there was a wage to go and do it. Then there wasn't a wage. I've had to go back to my sponsors to see what can be done. I'd love to do Moto2, but it'd cost £250,000 to go and ride it for a season. That's the sad thing about my sport. This sport is not big enough for that [huge budgets] to happen forever.
"Car racing is slightly different. There are rich dads and sponsors. But there's not that money in bike racing.
"It's not like riders have signed up in British Superbikes. So far, only one rider, Josh Brookes, has signed up. It shows you that it's pretty tough out there at the moment."
Hill burst onto the scene as a British Superbike rider with enormous potential back in 2004, before winning his first race at Cadwell Park in 2005. Some frustrating years followed and Hill made an ill-fated move to World Supersport. He broke his femur, ankle and hand in testing and then, on his comeback, was involved in an incident at the first corner at Nurburgring, breaking his femur once more.
He moved into World Superbikes in 2009, but was uncompetitive and rejoined the British Superbike series where his career really took off, eventually leading to him winning the title in 2011.
He finished third this season, despite racking up seven wins, before he took the decision to have a break.
"Looking forward, this may come as a shock to a lot of people, supporters and fans out there," he said. "But I really hope I can keep involved in the sport throughout 2013, either with a championship, or manufacturer, passing my knowledge over or doing some track-days and see what can potentially happen in 2014."
