NICK Harris is rarely lost for words, but he is still struggling to describe the surreal farewell he received to mark a lifetime in motorsport.

‘The voice of MotoGP’ was hoping to slip away quietly back home to Cumnor when he hung up his microphone for the final time in Valencia last month.

But after 18 seasons commentating on the series – and 38 years in motorsport in total – there was no chance.

Instead, Harris got a taste of what it was like to be a star in the spotlight, starting with seven-time champion Valentino Rossi interrupting the pre-race press conference in Spain.

Inviting the 70-year-old on to the stage, he was shown a video tribute, which has since been viewed more than 1.2 million times.

Harris said: “It was the most incredible weekend of my working life, without a shadow of a doubt.

“The whole weekend was a blur from the moment I arrived.

“It was the most extraordinary situation.

“I was being stopped every ten yards by people wanting selfies.”

The rise of Bradley Smith from Forest Hill schoolboy to earn a factory ride with KTM has been a highlight for the passionate Oxonian.

And the 27-year-old was among those to give their thanks.

He said: “It’s been a fun road together, from a beer in his local pub to MotoGP.

“It’s been amazing to be a part of it.”

Harris, who is continuing to commentate on his beloved Oxford United for the BBC, plans to write a book about a career which also included a spell in Formula 1 with Grove’s Williams team.

And he will not be short on stories to fill it.

“A lad from Cumnor who left school with one O-level travelling the world? Lucky isn’t the word,” he said.

“You make your own luck, because you do have to make a lot of sacrifices.

“I’ve been very fortunate to have had a supportive family and I couldn’t have done it without them.

“We’re away for three weeks at a time at some points in the season.

“It’s a wonderful life, but a very tough one as well.”

  • NICK Harris was among the winners at the 2016 Oxfordshire Sports Awards and tickets remain on sale for next month’s ceremony.

The 2017 awards night will be held at Oxford’s Kassam Stadium on Friday, January 19.

Tickets, priced at £42.95 for adults and £29.95 for juniors, are available at oxspa.co.uk/osa.