André Malherbe turned 65 today
The HRC Honda hero from the '80s can blow out 65 candles today. That's why we pay attention to the stylish rider with a short portrait.
The sympathetic Waal, who was born in Huy, worked from the early 70s on his way to becoming a top cross rider. Anyone who cares about motocross remembers his fluid style, his almost flawless sequences and his perseverance. Malherbe could handle a 500cc two-stroke like no other and it is therefore no surprise that he experienced his peak years on a Honda CR500.
André Malherbe quickly made waves aboard a Zündapp in the European 125cc Championship. In 1973 and 1974 he became champion on board the German brand. In 1975 the European Championship became a World Cup and he had to compete against his Walloon companion Gaston Rahier. However, that year he broke a leg and that immediately meant the end of his 125cc career.
Honda time!
In 1976 he switched to the 250cc class and was offered a contract by the Belgian then KTM importer Bovel. He achieved a mediocre 12th place in that year's World Championship. A year later, however, he entered the top three and also received the support of the factory in Mattighofen, Austria. At the insistence of KTM, he switched to the 1978cc category in 500 and finished sixth. This performance caught the eye of Honda and the Japanese gave him a contract to participate in the 500cc world championship as a full factory rider.
In his first year at Honda, Dédé was able to end the season in a more than good third place behind Graham Noyce and Gerrit Wolsink. In 1980, Malherbe became world champion for the first time and even managed to extend his title the following year. Things were also going well for Malherbe in 1982. He then had to compete against the Suzuki tandem Lackey-Vromans, but broke his leg in the American GP and was able to retire from the season.
Swedish racing driver Hakan Carlqvist thwarted Malherbe's plans in 1983 on board a Yamaha. A year later everything fell into place for “Dédé” and he was able to become world champion for a third time. He then had to pass the class leaders Jobé and Thorpe. That year he also rightly won the national trophy for sporting merit in our country. The next two years there was no problem against the British Dave Thorpe. In 1986 it was still Thorpe who called the shots at Honda, but the Japanese brought in a certain Eric Geboers. Malherbe could still finish second in the 500cc World Championship.
Paris-Dakar
In the winter of 1986/1987, after difficult contract negotiations with KTM and Honda, he had to turn his career around and surprisingly switched to motorsport. He took part in the French F3 Championship that year and was able to systematically improve his performance over the course of the season. That year he also took part in the 24 Hours of Francorchamps on board a Ford Sierra Cosworth. In the last months of that year, Malherbe was contacted by the French Yamaha importer Sonauto. Jean-Claude Olivier managed to convince him to participate in the upcoming Paris-Dakar rally. On January 6, 1988, André Malherbe suffered a serious fall and suffered serious spinal injuries that left him paralyzed for life. From now on he has to use a wheelchair and is paralyzed down to the neck. This dramatic turn is etched in the memory of every motocross enthusiast. However, Malherbe does not give up and continues to have a positive outlook on life at the side of his best friend Jean-Claude Laquaye.
In 1984, Georges Jobé jumped over André Malherbe during the GP500cc in England's Hawkstone Park. The photo taken of it would later become the most famous motocross photo of all time. Jobé regularly jumped “the double” during the second series and flew over the bewildered Malherbe. The two Walloons unexpectedly appear in the most iconic motocross photo ever. The photo was taken by British Nick Haskell.
Photos: archive MXVintage and Nick Haskell
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