André Malherbe

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André Malherbe
Malherbe.jpg
Malherbe in 1974 aboard a 125cc Zündapp
NationalityBelgian
Born21 March 1956 (1956-03-21) (age 65)
Huy, Belgium
Motocross career
Years active1975 - 1986
TeamsZündapp, KTM, Honda
Championships500cc - 1980, 1981, 1984
Wins30

André Malherbe (born 21 March 1956) is a Belgian former professional Grand Prix motocross racer. He competed in the Motocross World Championships from 1975 to 1986. He was a three-time FIM 500cc Motocross World Champion.

Motorcycle racing career[]

Born in Huy, the son of a motorcycle dealer, Malherbe began racing at an early age and earned his racing licence in 1973. He rode a Zündapp to win the 1973 FIM 125cc European motocross championship, and repeated as champion in 1974.[1][2][3]

Malherbe finished the 1977 season third in the 250cc motocross world championship.[4] Malherbe moved up to the 500cc world championship in 1978 and finished the season as the highest scoring KTM rider in sixth place.[5] He joined the Honda factory racing team in 1979 and improved to a third-place finish behind Honda teammate Graham Noyce and Suzuki's Gerrit Wolsink in the 500cc world championship.[6]

In 1980, he captured his first 500cc world championship as a member of the Honda factory racing team. Malherbe successfully defended his title in 1981 and in 1984 he won his third 500cc world championship for Honda.[7] At the time of his retirement, Malherbe's 41 Grand Prix race victories placed him fourth on the all-time winners list.[8]

After his motocross career ended, he competed in the 1987 Spa 24 Hour round of the World Touring Car Championship.[9] He then began to compete in rally raids. While competing in the 1988 Paris to Dakar Rally he crashed and suffered serious injuries that left him paralyzed.

References[]

  1. ^ "Classic Motocross Iron: Zundapp MC125". motocrossactionmag.com. Retrieved 11 December 2019.
  2. ^ "1973 125cc European motocross championship final standings". memotocross.fr. Retrieved 3 February 2016.
  3. ^ "1974 125cc European motocross championship final standings". memotocross.fr. Retrieved 3 February 2016.
  4. ^ "1977 250cc motocross world championship final standings". memotocross.fr. Retrieved 13 February 2016.
  5. ^ "1978 500cc motocross world championship final standings". memotocross.fr. Retrieved 13 February 2016.
  6. ^ "1979 500cc motocross world championship final standings". memotocross.fr. Retrieved 13 February 2016.
  7. ^ André Malherbe career profile
  8. ^ www.motorsport-aktuell.com Archived 13 January 2010 at the Wayback Machine
  9. ^ "André Malherbe results". racingsportscars.com. Retrieved 13 February 2016.


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