Georges Jobé
| Georges Jobé | |
|---|---|
 George Jobé (1) on a Suzuki at the Vallès Circuit in 1981 | |
| Nationality | Belgian |
| Born | 6 January 1961 Retinne, Belgium |
| Died | 19 December 2012 (aged 51) Brussels, Belgium |
| Motocross career | |
| Years active | 1979 - 1992 |
| Teams | Suzuki, Kawasaki, Honda |
| Championships | 250cc- 1980, 1983 500cc- 1987, 1991, 1992 |
| Wins | 31 |
Georges Jobé (6 January 1961 – 19 December 2012) was a Belgian professional motocross racer. He competed in the Motocross World Championships from 1979 to 1992. Jobé is notable for being a five-time FIM motocross world champion.[1]
Biography
Jobé was born in Retinne, Belgium. In 1979 he rode a Suzuki to seventh in the 1979 250cc motocross world championship.[2] In 1980, he became the youngest motocross world champion in history when he won the 1980 250cc motocross world championship at the age of 19.[1][3] Jobé led the 1981 250cc motocross world championship before a late season knee injury allowed Neil Hudson to overtake him by only two points in the final standings.[4][5] The following season, he fought a season-long battle with Danny LaPorte but, once again finished second, 13 points behind LaPorte.[4][6] In 1983, his rivalry with LaPorte continued with Jobé winning the 1983 250cc motocross world championship for Suzuki by a comfortable margin over his American rival.[4][7]
Jobé later went on to be crowned FIM World 500cc Motocross Champion in 1987, 1991 and 1992.[8] Jobé's 1987 500cc championship was notable as he won riding a privateer Honda CR500. Most of his rivals were on the official works teams of Honda, Kawasaki or KTM. In 1988, having been crowned World Champion in the 500cc class, Jobé competed in the 125cc World Championship to attempt to win the "Triple Crown" (FIM 125, 250 and 500cc world titles). He was unsuccessful, with countryman Eric Geboers achieving the feat by winning the 500cc World championship in that same year (Geboers having previously won world 125 and 250cc titles). Jobé was a member of the victorious Belgian team at the 1980 Motocross des Nations.
Jobé accomplished one of the most audacious passes in motocross history during the 1984 500cc British Motocross Grand Prix, held at Hawkstone Park, Shropshire, England.[9] In 1984, the Hawkstone Park circuit included a large "double jump" (before they were customary on top motocross circuits). Few riders had the courage to attempt to clear the jump during practice, let alone during the actual race. However, during the second race of the Grand Prix, Jobe passed rival André Malherbe by clearing the double jump, physically jumping over his rival in the process. Photographer Nick Haskell captured the moment, and the image of Jobé flying over Malherbe, with the crowd cheering on is often seen by some as one of motocross's most iconic images.[10]
In 2007 Jobe was paralyzed while training young riders in Dubai. After four years of intense rehabilitation, he recovered his strength and became able to walk and ride his bicycle again. However, in 2011 he was diagnosed with leukemia. Jobe died from his illness in Brussels on 19 December 2012 at the age of 51.[1]
Professional Honours
- FIM World Motocross Champion
250cc 1980, 1983 500cc 1987, 1991, 1992
- Belgian National Motocross Champion
250cc 1978,1980,1981,1982,1983 500cc 1984,1989
- Italian National Motocross Champion
500cc 1986
- FIM Trophee des Nations
1980, Member of Team Belgium
References
- ^ a b c "Godspeed! Georges Jobé (1961-2012)". motocrossactionmag.com. 13 March 2014. Retrieved 15 February 2022.
- ^ "1979 250cc motocross world championship results". memotocross.fr. Retrieved 15 February 2022.
- ^ "1980 250cc motocross world championship results". memotocross.fr. Retrieved 15 February 2022.
- ^ a b c "Remembered - Georges Jobe". mxlarge.com. Retrieved 15 February 2022.
- ^ "1981 250cc motocross world championship results". memotocross.fr. Retrieved 15 February 2022.
- ^ "1982 250cc motocross world championship results". memotocross.fr. Retrieved 15 February 2022.
- ^ "1982 250cc motocross world championship results". memotocross.fr. Retrieved 15 February 2022.
- ^ Georges Jobé career profile
- ^ "Georges Jobé's Hawkstone Jump: A Look Back to 1984". ultimatemotorcycling.com. Retrieved 15 February 2022.
- ^ Kane, Gez (2017), "Leap of Faith", Classic Bike, Bauer Consumer Media Ltd, ISSN 0142-890X
External links