Georges Jobé
Encyclopedia
Georges Jobé is a former five-time FIM
motocross
world champion from Belgium
. In addition, Jobé also won several Belgian national motocross championships in a professional motocross career that spanned from 1979 to 1992.
Jobé was crowned FIM World 250cc Motocross Champion in 1980 and 1983, and later went on to be crowned FIM World 500cc Motocross Champion in 1987, 1991 and 1992. Jobé's 1987 500cc championship was notable as he won riding a "private" Honda
CR500. Most of his rivals were on the official "factory" teams of Honda
, Kawasaki
or KTM
. In 1988, having been crowned World Champion in the 500cc class, Jobe 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). Geboers was a member of the victorious Belgian team at the 1980 Motocross des Nations
.
Jobé is famous for an incident that occurred during the 1984 British 500cc Motocross Grand Prix, held at Hawkstone Park
, Shropshire
, England
. 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.
(A copy of the picture can be viewed on Jobé's official website, http://www.jobe-racing.com/en/georges/index.html)
In 2007 Jobe was paralyzed while training young riders in Dubai. After four years of intense rehabilitation, he has recovered his strength and is now walking and riding his bicycle. However, in 2011 he was diagnosed with leukemia and is now currently facing the challenge to regain his health.
250cc 1980, 1983
500cc 1987, 1991, 1992
250cc 1978,1980,1981,1982,1983
500cc 1984,1989
500cc 1986
1980, Member of Team Belgium
Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme
The Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme is the governing body of motorcycle racing. It represents 103 national motorcycle federations that are divided into six regional continental unions....
motocross
Motocross
Motocross is a form of motorcycle sport or all-terrain vehicle racing held on enclosed off road circuits. It evolved from trials, and was called scrambles, and later motocross, combining the French moto with cross-country...
world champion from Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
. In addition, Jobé also won several Belgian national motocross championships in a professional motocross career that spanned from 1979 to 1992.
Jobé was crowned FIM World 250cc Motocross Champion in 1980 and 1983, and later went on to be crowned FIM World 500cc Motocross Champion in 1987, 1991 and 1992. Jobé's 1987 500cc championship was notable as he won riding a "private" Honda
Honda
is a Japanese public multinational corporation primarily known as a manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles.Honda has been the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer since 1959, as well as the world's largest manufacturer of internal combustion engines measured by volume, producing more than...
CR500. Most of his rivals were on the official "factory" teams of Honda
Honda
is a Japanese public multinational corporation primarily known as a manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles.Honda has been the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer since 1959, as well as the world's largest manufacturer of internal combustion engines measured by volume, producing more than...
, Kawasaki
Kawasaki Heavy Industries
is an international corporation based in Japan. It has headquarters in both Chūō-ku, Kobe and Minato, Tokyo.The company is named after its founder Shōzō Kawasaki and has no connection with the city of Kawasaki, Kanagawa....
or KTM
KTM
KTM Sportmotorcycle AG is an Austrian motorcycle, bicycle and moped manufacturer.The company was founded in 1934 by engineer Hans Trunkenpolz in Mattighofen. It started out as a metal working shop and was named Kraftfahrzeuge Trunkenpolz Mattighofen...
. In 1988, having been crowned World Champion in the 500cc class, Jobe 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
Eric Geboers
Eric Geboers is a former motocross racer and racing driver from Belgium. Nicknamed The Kid, he was the first person to win world championships in the 125cc, 250cc and 500cc divisions. He retired from the international competition after his victory in Namen, on August 5, 1990...
achieving the feat by winning the 500cc World championship in that same year (Geboers having previously won world 125 and 250cc titles). Geboers was a member of the victorious Belgian team at the 1980 Motocross des Nations
Motocross des Nations
The Motocross des Nations is an annual team motocross race, where riders representing their country meet at what is billed as the "Olympics of Motocross"...
.
Jobé is famous for an incident that occurred during the 1984 British 500cc Motocross Grand Prix, held at Hawkstone Park
Hawkstone Park
Hawkstone Park is an historic landscape park with pleasure grounds and gardens formerly belonging to Hawkstone Hall, near to Market Drayton, in Shropshire, England, UK, one mile east of the A49 road....
, Shropshire
Shropshire
Shropshire is a county in the West Midlands region of England. For Eurostat purposes, the county is a NUTS 3 region and is one of four counties or unitary districts that comprise the "Shropshire and Staffordshire" NUTS 2 region. It borders Wales to the west...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. 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
André Malherbe
André Malherbe was a Belgian motocross racer. He won three F.I.M. 500cc motocross World Championships.Born in Huy, the son of a motorcycle dealer, Malherbe began racing at an early age and earned his racing licence in 1973. He rode a Zündapp to win the 1973 FIM 125cc European motocross...
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.
(A copy of the picture can be viewed on Jobé's official website, http://www.jobe-racing.com/en/georges/index.html)
In 2007 Jobe was paralyzed while training young riders in Dubai. After four years of intense rehabilitation, he has recovered his strength and is now walking and riding his bicycle. However, in 2011 he was diagnosed with leukemia and is now currently facing the challenge to regain his health.
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