Legends - Too Young

Posted on November 27, 2022

With the unfortunate passing of Andre Malherbe last week, another major chapter in our sports history was closed. Malherbe one of the top Belgian legends from the 1980s, lost his life at 66 years old, but the tragedy of the last 10 years within the Belgian motocross community is staggering. First it was Georges Jobe sad passing on December 19, 2012, at the very young age of 51 years old.

The passing of Jobe came after his short struggle with leukemia and the motocross World was shocked and saddened. Jobe had not only been a five-time World motocross champion, but also was closely involved with KTM as their team manager in 2006.

Of course, many years earlier three time World 125cc motocross champion Gaston Rahier had lost his life in early 2005, Rahier at 58 years of age would lose the fight with cancer but he is remembered as one of the iconic figures of not only motocross, but also rally racing, with huge success at the Dakar rally. He remains in our hearts due to his GP championships.

On May 6, 2018, Belgium lost yet another of their legends, when Eric Geboers, at just 55 years of age passed away after drowning while trying to save his pet dog. Geboers, who won five World motocross championships in his career was also busy working within the Belgian motocross community, running the Belgian Grand Prix at the Lommel circuit. Just as we were shocked by Jobes passing in 2012, the loss of “The Kid” brought a lot of sadness. Despite his small statue, Geboers was a huge man in the motocross paddock, and his friendly smile and cheeky character made him very popular amongst the motocross family.

Now, last week, another of our Belgian legends died way too young, at just 66 years of age, Andre Malherbe passed. Again, sadness and memories shared between the people who knew Malherbe, in many people’s eyes also a five-time World motocross champion with his two European 125cc championships won before the 125cc class was considered a World title.

In a truly bizarre situation, we all remember Stefan Everts fighting for his life when he contracted malaria in 2018, just months before the passing of Geboers. Fortunately, Everts recovered, although the loss of many of his toes the reminder how lucky we are to still have him in our presence.

A year after the passing of Geboers and the sickness of Everts, another Belgian motocross legend Joël Robert passed away aged 77 after it was reported the six-time world champion died from contracting coronavirus at the beginning of the year. Of course, any passing is sad, however 77 wasn’t a bad run for Belgians first real legend. Still, like Geboers the friendly nature of Robert will be missed within the motocross family.

Obviously, many motocross legends from the passed have lost their lives too early, with Hakan Carlqvist passing on 6 July 2017 from the effects of a brain haemorrhage he suffered the previous day. Also, very young at just 63 years of age. American World champion Donny Schmit was diagnosed with leukemia and died on January 19, 1996, at the age of 29.

Many of our World champions have passed of course, many just from old age, but those who died so young, like Jobe, Geboers, Malherbe, Schmit, Carlqvist, Rahier left us far too early and while the memories of these great men will never be forgotten, our sadness for their families and friends’ loss will continue to remind us to enjoy life and respect these great men for what they brought us in their careers.