Multiple-time British champion Glen Richards has retired from professional racing.

South Australian ace Glen Richards has officially hung up his helmet following Brands Hatch’s British Supersport Championship finale last weekend.

The 40-year-old Smiths Triumph Racing Team rider was sixth in the Sprint race at Brands, before a Sunday’s longer 15-lap Feature race saw equally treacherous conditions as a rain shower just before the start made tyre choice a lottery.

Richards was in contention for the race win throughout. Positions were changing all the time but with heavy rain falling just after two thirds race distance, the race was stopped early with Glen in fourth, thus denying him a fairytale final podium finish.

“I would’ve loved to have finished on the podium in my final race but I didn’t want to get involved with the championship battle between Stuart [Easton] and Alastair [Seeley], so was content to stay at the back of the group,” Richards said.

“It’s been a tough weekend all round with the weather conditions being what they’ve been and obviously it’s been a tough season, firstly developing the new bike and then suffering with injury which affected me for a few rounds.

“However, it’s been nice to end competitively and run at the sharp end in both races so a big thank you to the team for two excellent years and congratulations to Stuart on winning this year’s championship.”

Richards finished eighth in the 2013 championship.