| Joel Robert | |
| Nationality | Belgian |
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| Motocross career | |
| Active years | 1960 - 1976 |
| Teams | CZ, Suzuki, Puch |
| Grands Prix | |
| Championships | 250cc - 1964, 1968 - 1972 |
| Wins | 50 |
| GP debut | |
| First GP win | |
Joël Robert (born 26 November 1943 in Chatelet, Belgium) is a Belgian motocross racer who won the 250cc Motocross World Championship six times including five times in a row.[1]
He began his career in Grand Prix motocross racing for the Czechoslovakian firm CZ. In 1964, he became the youngest motocross World Champion at the time when he clinched the 250cc class at the age of 20. He won the 250cc crown for CZ again in 1968 and 1969.[2]
For the 1970 season, Robert was wooed from CZ by the Japanese manufacturer Suzuki, who was seeking to make inroads into the European dominated sport. He continued his winning streak with Suzuki by capturing the 250cc Grand Prix championship in 1970, 1971 and 1972.[3] His record of 50 Motocross Grand Prix victories stood for more than 30 years until it was broken by fellow Belgian, Stefan Everts in 2004.
Robert is remembered as one of the most naturally talented motocross riders in history. In one of the most physically demanding disciplines in sports, he was notorious for his lack of training as well as his cigarette smoking. He even put his cigarette out on Sylvain Geboers's crossbar once on the start line at a series finale, which Joël ended up winning.[4] It is rumored that in his prime, Robert was strong enough to pick up the back end of a small car.[5]
Robert was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 2000.[2] Today, he continues his involvement in motocross by acting as manager for Belgium's Motocross des Nations team.
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