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Anthony Gobert

Anthony Gobert is no more. He was the embodiment of madness, nerve, and natural talent. Despite a career – and more broadly a life – of ups and downs, he left an indelible mark on motorcycle sport. Here is his story.

“They say a cat has nine lives. I’m at least on my tenth”. After admitting his heroin addiction in 2006 during a trial for speeding without a license, the “ wild child ”, or “wild child”, resigns himself. Australian justice sentenced him to 300 hours of community service. Even if he manages to avoid prison once again, the heyday of the world championship is over.

Because yes, before all this, Gobert was a professional driver. A pure talent, with a great sense of surpassing himself. It all started at the end of the 1980s. Young Anthony, born in 1975 not far from Sydney, cut his teeth in motocross. National champion on dirt, he decided to move onto the track like many other young people his age. Immediately, it was a success. While he dominated the Australian Superbike championship in 1994, his prowess was spotted by the small world of WSBK. A wild card will be granted to him for the two Japanese rounds dispused on the Sugo route. On his Honda RC45, he finished eighth and sixth respectively, a very good start.

 

Anthony Gobert

Anthony Gobert, aside.

 

While he won a national title, he was again invited to take part in a Superbike round, but this time, at home, on a Kawasaki. At the time, there were many ocean pilots: Simon Crafar, Aaron Slight and Troy Corser dream of shining in these latitudes. However, it is indeed the 19-year-old “Go Show” who steals the show. To everyone's surprise, he took pole position ahead of the big names, Scott Russell and Carl Fogarty. During the first round, Anthony was not shy and took on the champions, finishing third.

Starting again from first position, Gobert won masterfully in the second round and became the youngest winner in WSBK. Rarely have we seen raw talent so fast, incisive and determined. Certainly, it was the future. The Muzzy Kawasaki team jumped at the opportunity and hired the prodigy full-time the following year. At first discreet, he reveals himself mid-season and rewards us with legendary moments. Thanks to a consistency worthy of the greatest, he managed to climb fourth overall in 1995.

 

If you are in Anthony Gobert's situation or more broadly, if you suffer from addiction, you can get out of it. Photo: Muz

 

The ambition was high for 1996 but a nasty injury marred his season, forcing him to give up the handlebars for several months. After missing four races, his return is scheduled for… Phillip Island. The stakes are zero, but “Go Show” delights the spectators by winning twice. Here we have the future successor to Mick Doohan, quite simply.

At the age of 22 in 1997, he was already in the Suzuki factory box in 500cc Grands Prix. Paddock veteran Stuart Shenton MotoGP and legendary chief engineer, describes Anthony in the most honest way possible: « Gobert never wanted to change anything. We have had the highest brake temperatures with it. When we offered him a new adjustment after he had put the fork at the stop, he didn't care, it suited him like that ». A confusing temperament.

“After testing on the Eastern Creek circuit, we were all waiting for his first feedback on the machine. Anthony sat down, and the six Japanese engineers were ready to take notes. “I need two things: a “dancer” in the back of the garage and beers in a fridge” he told us before getting up and leaving. The Japanese were stunned” continues Stuart in the columns of Motorsport Magazine.

According to the latter, the “wild child” was a greater talent than Freddie Spencer, that’s saying something. In 1997, the results were far from bad (five top 10s in nine races) but the first problems were rearing their ugly head. Aussie tests positive for marijuana, resulting in dismissal before end of season. Having left for the USA for the AMA championship, he never found his former level again despite some flashes. On the GP side, we saw him a few times in 1999 on a Muz Weber, then in 2000 on a Modenas at Donington. This was Anthony's last appearance in the world championship.

 

Anthony Gobert

Gobert on Suzuki. Photo: Dieter Gerhards

 

In the meantime, his addiction to cannabis had cost him his place across the Atlantic. The year 2000 was marked by a magnificent victory in WSBK in the rain, still on the hills of Phillip Island (quite a symbol), while he was driving a poorly performing Bimota. The rest is a descent into hell. He attempted unsuccessful returns to the United States, but was again fined for drunk driving. In 2006, his addiction to opioids came to light. His demons, since then, have unfortunately never left him again. Following an altercation in a restaurant in 2019, Gobert was the victim of a gang attack organized at his home. Disfigured, he does not go far from death.

Anthony was a shooting star. His two brothers had confided, just a few days ago, about his admission to palliative care. From then on, his destiny was no longer in doubt. His mother recently declared: “He was unfortunately the victim of his addictions. He often tried to get better, but could not. »

May he rest in peace.

 

Go show.

All articles on Teams: Team Suzuki Ecstar