When will riders start retiring?

I could almost see Roczen hanging around a lot longer. He seems to have found that sweet spot wherein nobody expects him to win, but he could at any minute. No pressure. Dudes like that keep racing for the fun and the money, so as long as he's making enough to cover the risks, I'd say he's staying.

I am a believer that the cream always rises to the top no matter how old or what class you are in. If someone is good enough to get a 450 ride, they will get one. I don't think in recent years anyone got passed up for a 450 ride that didn't truly deserve on.

Too many factory seats to fill to retire - I think there will be 9 factory 450 teams in 25.  If each has two riders that's damn near a full gate.  I think privateer life is going to get more challenging in the 450's.  But some bubble privateers may pick up a factory ride so who knows.

They'll start retiring as their factory rides dry up.  How much longer the Japanese factories continue to prop up a sport where they sell a minuscule amount of product compared to the past is the real question. 

I googled their ages because I feel like this is an important point to consider when thinking who will retire sooner or later. Feel free to add this to the original post. 
 

​- Eli Tomac 31

- Jason Anderson 30

- Justin Barcia 31

- Ken Roczen 29

- Cooper Webb 28

- Dylan Ferrandis 29

- Malcolm Stewart 31

- Dean Wilson 32

- Adam Cianciarulo 27

-Colt Nichols 29 (30 in March)

-Kyle Chisholm 36

-Phil Nicoletti 34 (35 in March)

-Christian Craig 32

-RJ Hampshire 28

-Jordon Smith 28 (29 on February 5th)

-Aaron Plessinger 28

-Shane McElrath 29

-Fredrik Noren 31 (32 in March)

-Vince Friese 33

-Mitchell Oldenburg 29

-Jeremy Martin 30

-Max Anstie 30 (31 in April)

?????????? What sport have you been watching? Its literally popping off right now.

What a weird spot we are in then the average age of the 250’s is older than the 450’s for a ton of riders..

Hopefully never, this crop of riders is awesome! I could see some of the top guys exploring SX and SMX only for a few years if there’s a spot open to it.

The real question is why are so many older guys still chasing it?  money? Fame? 

I think it's a combination of health, fitness, injury rehab has improved so much that it leaves the door open for them, and money being good. Why retire if you're still able to race and make a better living for your family than you'll be able to doing anything else? 

Prado is rubbing his hands together