VALE Anthony Gobert

Anthony Gobert, one of the most talented riders Australia has ever produced, but also one of the most flawed, passed away on 17 January, aged 48. A week prior to his death, Gobert’s family revealed he had been placed in palliative care with an undisclosed illness.

Nicknamed ‘The Go Show,’ Gobert’s talents on a motorcycle were evident from a young age. Starting on dirt bikes, Gobert won a national motocross title as a 15-year-old, then the 125cc Australian Supercross Championship a year later. Stepping up to the 250cc class in 1992, Gobert won the Australian Supercross Masters in his first attempt. A move to AMA or European MX/SX competition seemed the next step, but the talented teenager decided to go road racing instead.

After making his debut in the Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) in 1992, Gobert secured a full-time ride with Winfield Honda for 1993. In 1994 he won the ASBK title, then made waves at international level with wildcard entries in the World Superbike Championship (WSBK). At that year’s Australian WSBK round, Gobert secured pole, placed third in Race 1 and won Race 2. That earned him a full-time ride with Muzzy’s Kawasaki in 1995, for whom he won two races and finished on the podium a further four times that season. Despite interruptions due to injury, more success came at WSBK level in 1996, including two wins at Phillip Island, where he famously hurled his leathers into the crowd.

In 1997, Gobert secured a ride in the 500cc World Championship with Lucky Strike Suzuki, alongside Daryl Beattie. However, failed drug tests saw him sacked before season’s end. From there, Gobert moved to AMA Superbike competition, where he won races and came close to securing the championship in 1999. Gobert’s undeniable speed saw him offered the occasional wildcard ride in grand prix and WSBK competition, too, most notably with Bimota, for whom he won at the Phillip Island WSBK round in 2000.

Gobert’s racing career effectively ended in 2006; the same year he revealed an addiction to heroin. Jail time in 2008 and being badly bashed in 2019 were, unfortunately, the only other occasions when Gobert made the news in recent years.

JUST BIKES extends its sympathies to Gobert’s family - mum Suzanne, brothers Aaron and Alex - and friends.