Joël Robert

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Joël Robert
Nationality Belgium Belgian
Motocross career
Active years 1960 - 1976
Teams CZ, Suzuki, Puch
Championships 250cc - 1964, 1968 - 1972
Wins 50

Joël Robert (born 26 November 1943 in Châtelet, Belgium) is a Belgian former professional motocross racer who won the 250cc Motocross World Championship six times including five times in a row.[1]

Robert began his career in motocross racing career in the early 1960s, racing in the European motocross championship.[2] In 1962, the European championship was granted world championship status by the FIM. Robert won the 1964 250cc world championship as a twenty-year-old privateer riding a CZ motorcycle, becoming the youngest motocross world champion at the time.[2] In 1965 he became a factory sponsored rider for the Czechoslovakian firm CZ.[2] Robert won the 250cc crown for CZ again in 1968 and 1969.[3] 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.[2] He continued his winning streak with Suzuki by capturing the 250cc Grand Prix championship in 1970, 1971 and 1972.[4] 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.[2]

Robert is remembered as one of the most naturally talented motocross riders in history.[5] In one of the most physically demanding disciplines in sports, he was notorious for his lack of training as well as his cigarette smoking.[2][5] He once even put his cigarette out on the crossbar of Sylvain Geboers's handlebars while on the start line at a series finale, which Robert eventually won.[6] American Grand Prix motocross racer, Jim Pomeroy, commented on Robert's impressive physical strength in an interview, recalling how he watched him lift the rear end of a small car.[7]

Robert was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 2000. Today, he continues his involvement in motocross by acting as manager for Belgium's Motocross des Nations team.[2]

Motocross grand prix results

  • 1964 250cc Motocross World Championship - 1st (CZ)
  • 1965 250cc Motocross World Championship - 2nd (CZ)
  • 1966 250cc Motocross World Championship - 2nd (CZ)
  • 1967 250cc Motocross World Championship - 2nd (CZ)
  • 1968 250cc Motocross World Championship - 1st (CZ)
  • 1969 250cc Motocross World Championship - 1st (CZ)
  • 1970 250cc Motocross World Championship - 1st (Suzuki)
  • 1971 250cc Motocross World Championship - 1st (Suzuki)
  • 1972 250cc Motocross World Championship - 1st (Suzuki)
  • 1973 250cc Motocross World Championship - 18th (Suzuki)
  • 1974 250cc Motocross World Championship - 10th (Suzuki)
  • 1975 250cc Motocross World Championship - 19th (Puch)

References

  1. ↑ "Joël Robert career profile". bestsports.com.br. Retrieved 28 April 2012. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 "Joël Robert at the Motorcycle Hall of Fame". motorcyclemuseum.org. Retrieved 28 April 2012. 
  3. ↑ "FIM Motocross World Champions". motorsportsetc.com. Retrieved 28 April 2012. 
  4. ↑ "Joel Robert biography". mxworksbike.com. Retrieved 28 April 2012. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Joël Robert Interview, Cycle Guide, January 1973". mxworksbike.com. Retrieved 3 May 2012. 
  6. ↑ "Who's Got The Goat?". motocross.transworld.net. Retrieved 28 April 2012. 
  7. ↑ "Jim Pomeroy Interview". jimpomeroymx.com. Retrieved 28 April 2012. 

External links

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