Farewell to André Malherbe, motocross legend

André Malherbe, an off-road legend, has passed away at the age of 66. Born in Huy in Belgium and the son of a motorbike dealer, he became passionate about motocross at an early age and won the European 125 championship at the age of 17 on the Zundapp. It was to be the first success of a long and successful career, which culminated in the three titles he won in the 500 class (in 1980, 1981 and 1984) with Honda and the same number of times he came second (1983, 1985 and 1986). Three is a recurring number for André, who also won the Motocross of Nations in 1977, 1979 and 1980. In all, he won 41 Grand Prix before retiring from racing.

The passion for racing, however, did not leave him. Dedé first switched to four wheels and was at the start of the 1987 Spa 24 Hours in the World Touring Car Championship, then he became passionate about rally raids. His life, not just his career, was marked by the Paris Dakar, in which he participated, on a Yamaha, in 1988. On the Bordj Omar Driss - Tamanrasset stage he was the victim of a serious accident, which forced him into a wheelchair.

The editorial staff of GPOne.com offers its deepest condolences to André's family and friends.