André Malherbe a Belgian former professional Grand Prix motocross racer, died on 24 November 2022 at age 66. Let us see more about Andre Malherbe and his cause of death.
André Malherbe
André Malherbe Son of a motorcycle trader, born in Huy. Malherbe got his racing license in 1973 and started competing at a young age. He won the 1973 FIM 125cc European Motocross Championship while riding a Zündapp, and he won it again in 1974.
The coolest rider in the GP paddock was Andre Malherbe. He had a riding style that was ungainly and very “European,” but he was also smooth, quick, and mentally very tough, making him perhaps Thorpe’s most formidable rival. Off-course, he had a gorgeous and glamorous wife, movie star looks, and earned the respect of all his rivals.
He was a native of Belgium and resided in Monaco, a paradise for the affluent, the gorgeous, and the F1 stars. Sadly, Andre suffered a serious spinal injury in a post-GP racing accident competing in the Paris-Dakar rally.
Cause of Death
One of the most well-known motocross riders of the 1980s, André Malherbe, passed away on Thursday. The information released by RTBF was verified by Christian Dejasse, national sports president of the Belgian Motorcycle Federation (FMB), in a statement to the Belga agency. He was 66 years old and had been hospitalized about three weeks prior.
Motorcycle racing career
Malherbe got his racing license in 1973. In the 250cc motocross world championship, Malherbe placed third in 1977. In 1978, Malherbe advanced to the 500cc world championship, where he finished the year in the sixth position with the highest KTM score. In 1979, he switched to race for Honda, and by the end of the year, he had improved enough to finish third in the 500cc world championship, only behind Suzuki’s Gerrit Wolsink and Honda colleague Graham Noyce.
While racing for the Honda factory squad in 1980, he won his first 500cc world title. Malherbe successfully defended his title in 1981, and for Honda, in 1984, he captured his third 500cc world championship. Malherbe was ranked fourth among all-time winners at the time of his retirement with 41 victories in Grand Prix races.
He participated in the 1987 Spa 24-Hour round of the World Touring Car Championship when his motocross career came to an end. He then started taking part in rally raids. He crashed and sustained severe injuries during the 1988 Paris to Dakar Rally, which rendered him paralyzed.
Jack Burnicle looks back at Andre Malherbe’s remarkable career
In the 45-year history of the Honda Racing Corporation, Tim Gajser overtook eminent Belgian Andre Malherbe by winning the penultimate round of the 2020 MXGP world championship. Tim won his 28th grand Prix, securing his fourth world championship, surpassing Malherbe’s 27 victories and three world titles. Andre won his 90th GP, whereas Gajser needed 124 to reach that mark.
His renowned cool assurance was formed as soon as he started winning. Malherbe, who always wore all-white racing attire and had a fluid, effortless riding style, earned the nickname “Hollywood” and was always sleek and classy.
The fact that “Hollywood” and “Tiga” have both enjoyed their racing careers is a significant aspect that unites this renowned pair. Like Andre usually does, Gajser is currently having a good time despite the circumstances. His natural calmness before a race allowed him to sit calmly and reflect, converse merrily with other riders, or sign autographs for amazed children right up until the gun went off.
“I always have a good time,” explained Andre. “When I go practicing, racing, ride bicycles, do a little weightlifting, play tennis. I can kill myself just by riding a trial but it is fun!”
Bounce back
Andre bounced back in 1984, claiming his third world title following another season-long feud – this time with compatriot Georges Jobe – after he gained a crucial advantage at Carlsbad where he finished fourth behind Glover, Johnson, and Bailey with just four points covering them all!
However, a fresh challenger had emerged. His young English team-mate Dave Thorpe, signed by HRC in 1983, won the last three rounds to claim a strong third in the series. The pair would go head-to-head in 1985.
He was prepared for a new challenge racing cars in 1987 before being persuaded to tackle the Paris-Dakar Rally with Yamaha France. Tragically, a fall in the North African desert in January 1988 paralyzed him from the neck downwards. Andre courageously kept himself alive thinking of his baby daughter until help arrived and, despite being confined to a wheelchair, he returned to run a Johnson Honda private 500GP team with Jobe on board in 1989.
After that, he established successful businesses in Belgium and his adopted home Monte Carlo, where he annually rented out apartments during Monaco F1 Grand Prix week! Truly a remarkable man.
Rest in Peace, champ.
Andre Malherbe. pic.twitter.com/JPcWMgDl2m— Daniel Makx (@TheMakx) November 24, 2022
Le monde de la moto en deuil: André Malherbe est décédé à l’âge de 66 ans https://t.co/l8XIHlf7qW pic.twitter.com/PF5o3bO1nG
— Sudinfo LaMeuse (@LaMeuse_be) November 24, 2022
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