WSB: Anthony Gobert has died

Former 500cc Grand Prix and World Superbike rider Anthony Gobert has died aged 48 following a short illness.

Gobert’s passing was confirmed by his mother, Suzanne Gobert, via Facebook on Wednesday January 17, less than a week after brother, Aaron Gobert, revealed that the Australian was receiving end of life palliative care in Australia.

“My heart is breaking as I write this as my first born beautiful son Anthony has passed late this afternoon,” Suzanne Gobert said on Facebook. “I loved him from the moment he was born until the day I die. At times he was challenging to say the least, but he always had a kind heart and cared for everyone.

“Sadly, he was a victim of addiction which runs deeply in our families. He tried many times to get better, but he couldn’t quite make it. I am so proud of him and thank all those good people who added to his life. You know who you are.”

Gobert is considered to be one of the most naturally talented and gifted riders to have graced the WorldSBK and Grand Prix paddocks, but he also suffered from well-documented personal problems away from the circuit.

Gobert, known as the ‘Go Show’ burst onto the international scene at Phillip Island in 1994, entering the WSB season finale as a wildcard. Not only did the 19-year-old Gobert take pole, but he would also go on to podium in race one before winning the final race of the season. That result made Gobert the youngest ever WSB race winner.

As a result, Gobert joined the Muzzy Kawasaki team the following year, securing wins at Laguna Seca and Phillip Island on his way to fourth overall. His 1996 season was severely hampered by injury, but he still clinched three victories and a total of six podiums on his way to eighth overall.

The 500cc World Championship was next for Gobert in 1997 with the factory Lucky Strike Suzuki team. However, Gobert was sacked midway through the year for failing a drugs test.

He would make further appearances in Grand Prix for MuZ Weber at the end of the 1999 season, as well as a one-off appearance for Kenny Roberts’ KR3 Modenas Team at Donington Park.

After his departure from Grand Prix in 1997, Gobert spent the next two years in the AMA Superbike Championship with Ducati. During that time, Gobert entered the Laguna Seca WSB round as a wildcard and won.

Another return to WSB followed with Bimota in 2000 onboard the SB8R. Gobert won in the wet at Philip Island, but the team folded due to a lack of funds during the season. Later than year, Gobert replaced the injured Steve Hislop at the Virgin Yamaha team in BSB, finishing fourth at Brands Hatch.

In the years that followed Gobert returned to AMA and the Australian Superbike Championship, whilst he also competed in the World Supersport Championship in a replacement for David Checa in 2006.

Overall, Gobert won eight WSB races and stood on the Superbike podium 16 times in 57 appearances between 1994 and 2000.

Our thoughts are with Anthony’s family and friends at this difficult time.