The mere mention of the name Geoff Duke is enough to send shivers down your spine. Even if we started to follow the MotoGP and its history very recently (perhaps thanks to this series of articles), it is impossible to remain indifferent to its greatness. He is like a Fangio or a Nuvolari on two wheels; few have seen it ride, but everyone knows it's one hell of a monster. Let's look at its history.
Geoffrey was born in 1923, a great year for motor sports. As a youth, he was part of the British Army's motorcycle service, the RSMDT. A graduate, he dazzles everyone with his great mastery. Duke quickly made a name for himself on the Isle of Man. His performances in the Manx Grand Prix led him to sign with Norton for the 1950 world championship. In 350cc as in 500cc, it doesn't take long for the powder to speak.
The “global” – solely centered on the European continent – opens up to Isle of Man TT ; Geoffrey's garden. In the premier category, he took victory for his very first outing aboard the factory machine. The whole grid notices something strange about the brave Englishman: he is wearing a one-piece leather suit! Indeed, Duke was the one who popularized the protection which became legion.
During this 1950 season, Duke splashed the grid with his talent. He could have been titled in 500cc if not for an "error" by the race direction, who presented the checkered flag a lap too early at Monza; a situation strangely favorable to local Umberto Masetti, soon to be world champion. Runner-up in both categories, no one was ready for what came next.
A completely different era, but no less exciting. Photo: ANEFO
His 1951 campaign is undoubtedly one of the most impressive in history, ranking alongside those Mick Doohan in 1997 or Marc Márquez in 2019. In 350cc as in 500cc, he leaves only crumbs to his opponents and seizes both titles. If the British machines are very efficient in the first category, this was less the case in 500cc since you have to go back to 9th place overall to find another Norton. He also won both rounds at the Tourist Trophy, the first double on the mountain since 1934!
Same price in 1952, or almost. While he was on a series of ten consecutive victories in 350cc, he was struck by bad luck in the premier category, particularly at the TT where his clutch failed. A mid-season hip injury put an end to his career, but fortunately he was able to accumulate enough points to be titled in 350cc.
During his absence, his relationship with Norton had deteriorated. In order to stay in the game, he signed with Gilera, the reigning world champion brand. Marriage is obvious and disappoints no one. Only entered in 500cc, Geoff Duke won three consecutive world titles by crushing the competition. He thus acquired superstar status. Good-looking, the British (a nationality which also helped at that time) is one of the figures of motor sports, especially since he is also passionate about car racing which he competes at a very high level.
Here in Assen in 1951, already praised by his peers and the public. Photo: ANEFO
His career reached a turning point at Assen in 1955. The organizers are stingy about the bonuses granted to private drivers, and many heroes of the 350cc championship decide to return after just a few laps to show their anger. This impromptu strike movement is supported by Geoff Duke, but the FIM does not see it that way. Meeting in November in London, the high authorities imposed heavy penalties on the pilots and did not spare Duke to set an example; the star received a six-month suspension, which prevented him from starting the 1956 financial year.
Despite a victory at the end of the 1956 season, Duke had its mind elsewhere.
Then, at the end of 1957, a group of Italian manufacturers withdrew from the championship, including Gilera. Duke found speed again in 350cc on a Norton, as well as in 500cc, where he rode a BMW then a Norton. In Sweden, he achieved another double and pocketed his 32nd and 33rd career victories, a record. These were his last two successes before a final farewell tour in 1959. The “Continental Circus” was no longer the same; now dominated head and shoulders by the MV Agusta officials (John Surtees and Carlo Ubbiali),
our poor Geoff Duke, 36, can't compete.
After his retirement from two-wheelers, he took on various and varied occupations, from team director to Formula 1 driver for a race. Then he became a businessman on the Isle of Man, with, among other things, the creation of a ferry company. Appointed MotoGP Legend in 2002, the six-time world champion died in 2015, at the age of 92. His death marked the Isle of Man, but more generally, the entire motorcycle sport which lost one of its greatest artists.
Did you know the story of Geoff Duke? Tell us in the comments!
The great Duke, at Assen in 1954. Photo: ANEFO
Cover photo: ANEFO
