Joël Robert
Encyclopedia
Joël Robert is a Belgian motocross
racer who won the 250cc Motocross World Championship six times including five times in a row.
He began his career in Grand Prix motocross racing for the Czechoslovakian firm CZ
. In 1964, he became the youngest motocross World Champion at the time when he clinched the 250cc class at the age of 20. He won the 250cc crown for CZ again in 1968 and 1969.
For the 1970
season, Robert was wooed from CZ by the Japanese manufacturer Suzuki
, who was seeking to make inroads into the European dominated sport. He continued his winning streak with Suzuki by capturing the 250cc Grand Prix championship in 1970, 1971
and 1972. His record of 50 Motocross Grand Prix victories stood for more than 30 years until it was broken by fellow Belgian, Stefan Everts
in 2004.
Robert is remembered as one of the most naturally talented motocross riders in history. In one of the most physically demanding disciplines in sports, he was notorious for his lack of training as well as his cigarette smoking. He even put his cigarette out on Sylvain Geboers
's crossbar once on the start line at a series finale, which Joël ended up winning. It is rumored that in his prime, Robert was strong enough to pick up the back end of a small car.
Robert was inducted into the AMA
Motorcycle Hall of Fame
in 2000. Today, he continues his involvement in motocross by acting as manager for Belgium's Motocross des Nations
team.
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...
racer who won the 250cc Motocross World Championship six times including five times in a row.
He began his career in Grand Prix motocross racing for the Czechoslovakian firm CZ
Ceská Zbrojovka Strakonice
Česká zbrojovka is a Czech firearms manufacturer also known for making ČZ motorcycles. ČZ was established as a branch of the Škoda Works Armament in Strakonice, Czechoslovakia in September 1919.-History:...
. In 1964, he became the youngest motocross World Champion at the time when he clinched the 250cc class at the age of 20. He won the 250cc crown for CZ again in 1968 and 1969.
For the 1970
1970 FIM Motocross World Championship season
The 1970 FIM Motocross World Championship season was the 14th F.I.M. Motocross Racing World Championship season.-Summary:Bengt Åberg won his second consecutive 500cc world championship for Husqvarna...
season, Robert was wooed from CZ by the Japanese manufacturer Suzuki
Suzuki
is a Japanese multinational corporation headquartered in Hamamatsu, Japan that specializes in manufacturing compact automobiles and 4x4 vehicles, a full range of motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles , outboard marine engines, wheelchairs and a variety of other small internal combustion engines...
, who was seeking to make inroads into the European dominated sport. He continued his winning streak with Suzuki by capturing the 250cc Grand Prix championship in 1970, 1971
1971 FIM Motocross World Championship season
The 1971 FIM Motocross World Championship season was the 15th F.I.M. Motocross Racing World Championship season.-Summary:Roger De Coster won his first 500cc world championship for Suzuki in a tight points battle with Maico rider Åke Jonsson. The championship wasn't decided until the final round of...
and 1972. His record of 50 Motocross Grand Prix victories stood for more than 30 years until it was broken by fellow Belgian, Stefan Everts
Stefan Everts
Stefan Everts is a motocross racer from Belgium, who retired in 2006 after securing his record 10th World Title. He also holds several other motocross records....
in 2004.
Robert is remembered as one of the most naturally talented motocross riders in history. In one of the most physically demanding disciplines in sports, he was notorious for his lack of training as well as his cigarette smoking. He even put his cigarette out on Sylvain Geboers
Sylvain Geboers
Sylvain Geboers is a Belgian former professional motocross racer and current motocross team manager.Geboers was one of the top motocross racers of the late 1960s and early 1970s, finishing in the top three of the F.I.M. 250cc motocross World Championships for five consecutive years from 1968 to...
's crossbar once on the start line at a series finale, which Joël ended up winning. It is rumored that in his prime, Robert was strong enough to pick up the back end of a small car.
Robert was inducted into the AMA
American Motorcyclist Association
The American Motorcyclist Association is an American not-for-profit organization of more than 300,000 motorcyclists that organizes numerous motorcycling activities and campaigns for motorcyclists' legal rights...
Motorcycle Hall of Fame
Motorcycle Hall of Fame
The Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum is an offshoot of the American Motorcyclist Association that recognizes individuals who have contributed to motorcycle sport, motorcycle construction and motorcycling in general. It displays motorcycles and riding gear and memoribilia. The museum is located in...
in 2000. Today, he continues his involvement in motocross by acting as manager for Belgium's 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"...
team.
Motocross grand prix results
- 1964 250cc Motocross World Championship - 1st (CZCeská Zbrojovka StrakoniceČeská zbrojovka is a Czech firearms manufacturer also known for making ČZ motorcycles. ČZ was established as a branch of the Škoda Works Armament in Strakonice, Czechoslovakia in September 1919.-History:...
) - 1965 250cc Motocross World Championship - 2nd (CZCeská Zbrojovka StrakoniceČeská zbrojovka is a Czech firearms manufacturer also known for making ČZ motorcycles. ČZ was established as a branch of the Škoda Works Armament in Strakonice, Czechoslovakia in September 1919.-History:...
) - 1966 250cc Motocross World Championship - 2nd (CZCeská Zbrojovka StrakoniceČeská zbrojovka is a Czech firearms manufacturer also known for making ČZ motorcycles. ČZ was established as a branch of the Škoda Works Armament in Strakonice, Czechoslovakia in September 1919.-History:...
) - 1967 250cc Motocross World Championship - 2nd (CZCeská Zbrojovka StrakoniceČeská zbrojovka is a Czech firearms manufacturer also known for making ČZ motorcycles. ČZ was established as a branch of the Škoda Works Armament in Strakonice, Czechoslovakia in September 1919.-History:...
) - 1968 250cc Motocross World Championship - 1st (CZCeská Zbrojovka StrakoniceČeská zbrojovka is a Czech firearms manufacturer also known for making ČZ motorcycles. ČZ was established as a branch of the Škoda Works Armament in Strakonice, Czechoslovakia in September 1919.-History:...
) - 1969 250cc Motocross World Championship - 1st (CZCeská Zbrojovka StrakoniceČeská zbrojovka is a Czech firearms manufacturer also known for making ČZ motorcycles. ČZ was established as a branch of the Škoda Works Armament in Strakonice, Czechoslovakia in September 1919.-History:...
) - 1970 250cc Motocross World Championship - 1st (SuzukiSuzukiis a Japanese multinational corporation headquartered in Hamamatsu, Japan that specializes in manufacturing compact automobiles and 4x4 vehicles, a full range of motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles , outboard marine engines, wheelchairs and a variety of other small internal combustion engines...
) - 1971 250cc Motocross World Championship - 1st (SuzukiSuzukiis a Japanese multinational corporation headquartered in Hamamatsu, Japan that specializes in manufacturing compact automobiles and 4x4 vehicles, a full range of motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles , outboard marine engines, wheelchairs and a variety of other small internal combustion engines...
) - 1972 250cc Motocross World Championship - 1st (SuzukiSuzukiis a Japanese multinational corporation headquartered in Hamamatsu, Japan that specializes in manufacturing compact automobiles and 4x4 vehicles, a full range of motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles , outboard marine engines, wheelchairs and a variety of other small internal combustion engines...
) - 1973 250cc Motocross World Championship - 18th (SuzukiSuzukiis a Japanese multinational corporation headquartered in Hamamatsu, Japan that specializes in manufacturing compact automobiles and 4x4 vehicles, a full range of motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles , outboard marine engines, wheelchairs and a variety of other small internal combustion engines...
) - 1974 250cc Motocross World Championship - 10th (SuzukiSuzukiis a Japanese multinational corporation headquartered in Hamamatsu, Japan that specializes in manufacturing compact automobiles and 4x4 vehicles, a full range of motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles , outboard marine engines, wheelchairs and a variety of other small internal combustion engines...
) - 1975 250cc Motocross World Championship - 19th (PuchPuchPuch is a manufacturing company located in Graz, Austria. The company was founded in 1889 by the industrialist Johann Puch and produced automobiles, bicycles, mopeds, and motorcycles.-Pre 1919:...
)