R.I.P. André Malherbe (21/03/1956 - 24/11/2022) | Motocross legend

Motocross legend and three-time FIM 500cc Motocross World Champion André Malherbe, sadly passed away on the 24th Novemember 2022 at the age of sixty-six.
Having previously won the FIM 125cc European Motocross Championship in 1973 and 1974, the Belgian ace stepped up to the 500cc class in 1978 and captured his first championship title in 1980 for Honda and added to his tally in 1981 and 1984. In total, Malherbe had 41 Motocross GP wins to his name, placing him fourth in the all-time winners list.
In this clip we look back at the 1985 Spanish Motocross Grand Prix at the rock hard Guadalajara circuit in what was a double race winning meeting for André Malherbe, who was the star of the show. He pegged back Britain’s Dave Thorpe with a tigerish display of riding which had the Senors and Signores agog with admiration.
Overcoming leg burns from the Belgian GP, Malherbe masterfully demonstrated how he had progressed from his early 125cc Yamaha beginnings to being 1984 World Champion. In the end the Kawasaki of Georges Jobe made it a Belgian one-two, with Britain’s Thorpe and Kurt Nicoll third and fourth.

[@perrym6937]

he was lucky to be in the best era of mx.. the 500's what a great rider. R.I.P.

[@rickb176]

Andre was a brilliant Motocross rider in one of the best eras of this sport. Was lucky enough to see him in a GP500 race with Dave Thorpe at Farleigh castle, England. Dave fell at the first bend and came through the whole field passing Andre to take the lead, however Andre came out as the eventual winner after some fantastic hard racing with Dave - Top Sport. RIP Andre.

[@Professorclown]

Totally agree! I remember Dave Thorpe got tangled in the fencing at the end of the start straight, and thought his race was over, but he rode like an absolute demon to take the win (I remember being at Farleigh, too). Malherbe was his arch nemesis - both great rivals and awesome riders. That was the best era of motocross, when the bikes were still developing so much. All these legends will be sorely missed.

[@joigus]

So smooth on that beastly CR500... A class act. I was there that day watching the race. So much dust and gnarly ruts. It breaks my heart remembering him in his later days after Africa. Rest in peace with all the other legends, Jobé, Carlqvist, Geboers.

[@williamrae9954]

@@gpw203 still alive

[@joigus]

@@gpw203 He's still alive, as @William Rae pointed out. Other legends who passed away are Rahier, Joël Robert, and Danny Chandler. Magoo and Malherbe had similar fates. 💔

[@ピエールダニエル]

Sad ..

[@chayes954r]

So talented on that CR500 beast. Rest in peace brother, you are not forgotten 🙏

[@jameseaves71]

I remember watching him when I was a boy. Great rider. RIP.

[@cliffordbruber2791]

Rest In Peace, Andre Malherbe.

[@turboslag]

I'm very shocked by this sad news, taken well before his time, an iconic rider in an iconic era. RIP Andre.

[@williamrae9954]

So many of them died so young,testament to how tough the sport was,thanks for making my childhood, legends one and all!

[@spacejaime]

Older than me by 4 months. Followed his career on print media, and the times ABC Wide World of Sports and ESPN aired a few races. He's now racing in the most wonderful MX track with the absolute best bike. Godspeed dear Andre!

[@bobjohnson7207]

One of the greatest in Moto Sports.

[@bladerunnergonzalez]

My favourite MX Rider!!!...THE BEST!!!...🏆🏆🏆❤️😭😭😭

[@henriput854]

Rip andre, a have great memories off the moto cross in Namur citadel and ettelbruck , a great champion is gone Rest In Peace , big fan Henri put belgium 🇧🇪 thanks for all

[@cornemuse61]

Jobe, Malherbe, Geobers, Carlquist... they're all gone... it's an era switch... sad for those like me who had these guys as heroes.... our turn is next... enjoy your time in there while it goes....

[@pascalgiou6869]

😓great man and great pilot.

[@ralfpatzelt8689]

Absolutely my favorite time of motocross, so much great riders, cool bikes realy different from today! Andre Malherbe of course o e of my heroes, thank you Andre! we We will miss you!!!!

[@jamesstewart7224]

Iv seen the genius at hawkstone in the best of days Thorpe, the kid,jobe,etc. Rest in peace Andre the unforgettable.x Liverpool UK.

[@antoineruiz3387]

Merci Mr Malherbe pour m’avoir fait rêver quand j’étais adolescent. Vous êtes un grand Monsieur.

[@karkasselebordelais4266]

Exactement la même pensée.

[@wtfftw24]

Wonderful images. Thank you.

[@rickydlayaute5387]

Great champion ...happy having seen him in the glory time !!! 🙏😔🙏 RIP André !! Richard d'la Yaute 👍😎🇫🇷

[@WatchingtheWorldBurning]

What a fitting tribute. The riders in the top 6 were truly a special breed. I remember seeing them all at Hawkstone Park, England (probably that season) - those 500 two strokes were a man's machine! RIP André

[@ABC_62]

Descansa en pau DEDE.... Recordo corrent el Campionat d'Europa de 125cc a Montgai amb la Zundapp.

[@Romulus_xxii]

R.I.P. Maestro. 🙏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@paulmatthews7193]

Such sad news, I've never heard anything bad said about him.A world champion rider and person 💔💔

[@massimofalcinelli5043]

I had the pleasure to see him in all Italy GPs several times ...great Champion!!

[@christopherjohnson3685]

Andre Malherbe was a motocross great in an era of exceptional riders when the 500cc world championship was the pinnacle of the sport. He competed with Dave Thorpe, Georges Jobe, Eric Geboers and Hakan Carlqvist when they were at their very best .Before that he saw off Graham Noyce and generally beat Brad Lackey except 1982. His race craft and tactics were up there with the best there has ever been particularly on adverse camber tracks like Farleigh Castle and Sittendorf in Austria. A great rider who always found a way.

[@hrchondahrc424]

R.i.p André

[@wheeling420]

The four of them aren't resting there racing up there gods speed

[@alistairbartlett6569]

I remember watching him race against David Thorpe at Farleigh Castle around 1985 when I was 9. A fantastic battle for the lead between them both, with Thorpe winning the First race and Malherbe th Second. In one of the races ( can't remember which one), Thorpe fell at the first corner, dropped right to last then carved through the field to take the lead. Watched it again on TV the following week, with dear old Murray Walker commentating. RIP and Godspeed Andre and Murray, both legends in their respective fields.

[@dukevideo]

We hope to be releasing a Dave Thorpe documentary soon! It features the story of that epic battle at Farleigh Castle amongst other great insights and there's some nice moments between Dave and Andre Malherbe as they reminisced about their careers.

[@lostinspace699]

Never herd of him till now great rider

[@castelnedd]

RIP Andre Malherbe. Watched him in so many incredible races.

[@gogogeedus]

The best in his day,RIP Andrea.

[@MrDamienMx]

Un grand pilote, qui inspire encore aujourd’hui le respect ! Hommage à sa mémoire

[@yinyangyin]

chapeaux andre. ALL those 500s were monsters. RIP. 🏴‍☠️

[@staffordduecker665]

Damn...

[@angelosantaniello4113]

R.I.P. Andre

[@fatfreddyfatfreddy6240]

Je me souviens de la finesse de Pilotage d'André, les longues dérives de l'arrière contrôlées avec les gazs,les deux pieds sur les reposes pieds. Et Carlquist ,le bûcheron, qui ne connaissait que la ligne droite ,et coupait les trajectoires, fonçant dans des passages difficiles la où d'autres n'auraient même pas osé mettre les roues . Carlquist ne connaissait pas les passages dangereux ,il les enterrait !

[@luisvillarrealheredero1326]

R.I.P.Master

[@paulwhittaker606]

True gentleman and fantastic rider

[@transalphonda100]

rip dede

[@stevebigansky9372]

What brand of bike did did George ride before moving to Honda?? Can't remember- wasn't it MAICO??

[@stevebigansky9372]

Sorry, i meant Andre - got him confused with George Jobe

[@patrickaerts5092]

Van alle Vlaamse motor cross fans we hebben van je ongelooflijk motor cross talent genoten rust zacht

[@user-jj9oz5co3b]

Sad day in the mx. World. Rest I'm peace. U will be missed.

[@vicentemena947]

Descansa en paz ANDRE MALHERBE. Muy gran Campeón . Esta carrera fue en YUNQUERA DE HENARES . Año 1985. Fui a Verla . Y otros años más .El Gran Premio de España de 500.CC. Era espectacular El sonido de esas Bicicletas Dos Golpes .De 500 CC. Y Esos Grandes Ciclistas y ver Correr el Nacional De 250.CC. y Sidecar Croos 1000.CC. que Grandes Tiempos Aquellos.👏👍🇪🇸😭

[@salvatorelori4672]

È andato via uno dei grandi di quel tempo

[@josecarlospoggian149]

RIP 🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿 thanks for all!

[@turboslag]

I'm very shocked by this sad news, taken well before his time, an iconic rider in an iconic era. RIP Andre.

[@octaveergebel877]

Rip mister Malherbe.

[@C...G...]

RIP

[@csxup]

RIP

[@raymondwestrik7970]

R.i.p

[@francescocosta2272]

he will remain a masterclass champion

[@barbarasimons3762]

R I P Andre.

[@russpawson966]

Ride on in heaven my friend. Love from Yorkshire England.

[@rodbrezinski8033]

RIP to a legendary MX Rider

[@armandocardenas6094]

The golden era of motocross.

[@philippe7605]

Ont t oublira jamais Dédé

[@PhilippeDesanglois-s8u]

Ont t oublira jamais Dédé

[@simonrose2322]

Malherbe..greatest of all time for me..🏆🏁

[@7-SDH]

Fantastic Rider will be sorely missed ❤

[@eladioandresprietoolmedo9215]

D. E. P.

[@stefanhaling2606]

😪😪😪😪😪😪😪😪😪😪😪😪

[@robertashworth3929]

RIP Andre.

[@robertwhitewolf2910]

God Speed

[@marksamuel-k5r]

R.I.P

[@salvatorelori4672]

Anni del vero motocross....

[@Pompomgrenade]

🍾 Toast 🏆

[@camodickbarton4431]

R.i.p legend unbelievable rider

[@Millik.gmaill]

Se sont les meilleurs pilotes de 500 ❤