Roger DeCoster
Encyclopedia
Roger De Coster is a Belgian former world champion motocross
racer and current motocross team manager.
De Coster began his professional motocross career with the Czechoslovakian firm ČZ
racing in the 500cc class. He was also competent in other forms of off-road motorcycling, winning a Gold Medal in the 1964 International Six Days Trial
, and won the 1964 Belgian Observed Trials National Championship. He won the 500cc Belgian National Championship in 1966 and moved up to the Grand Prix World Championship in 1967. He won his first 500cc Grand Prix in 1968.
In 1971, De Coster left ČZ and join the Japanese firm Suzuki
. It was with Suzuki that he would attain his greatest success, winning the 500cc Motocross World Championship three years in a row in 1971
, 1972 and 1973 before Heikki Mikkola
dethroned him in 1974. De Coster came back and regained the World Championship for the 1975 and 1976 seasons. By the mid-seventies, he had established himself as the greatest motocrosser of all time. In 1980, He joined Honda
for one final season. He left the sport on top, winning his final world championship race — the 500cc Motocross Grand Prix of Luxembourg at the end of the 1980 season. He was also a four-time winner of the Trans-AMA motocross series and was a member of six winning Belgian teams in the Motocross des Nations
.
De Coster was known for his smooth, controlled riding style and a commitment to physical training. His training regime gave him the stamina that allowed him to circulate for most of the race in mid-pack before putting in a late charge through the field to victory when other racers had begun to tire.
After his racing career, De Coster moved to the U.S. and remained involved in the sport, becoming the motocross team manager for Honda
and Suzuki. Starting in 2011, he will be the team manager for the Red Bull KTM
team. He has also managed Team USA in the Motocross of Nations.
in 1994, becoming only the seventh motorcyclist in the Hall. In 1999, he was inducted into the AMA
Motorcycle Hall of Fame
.
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 and current motocross team manager.
Motorcycling career
De Coster's name is almost synonymous with the sport of motocross, winning five 500cc Motocross World Championships during the 1970s and tallying a record 36 500cc Grand Prix victories. His stature is such in the world of motocross that he is often simply referred to as "The Man."De Coster began his professional motocross career with the Czechoslovakian firm ČZ
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:...
racing in the 500cc class. He was also competent in other forms of off-road motorcycling, winning a Gold Medal in the 1964 International Six Days Trial
ISDE
ISDE may stand for:*Institute for Space and Defense Electronics, a research facility at Vanderbilt University*International Six Days Enduro, a motorcycle event*International Society of Doctors for the Environment, an environmental organization...
, and won the 1964 Belgian Observed Trials National Championship. He won the 500cc Belgian National Championship in 1966 and moved up to the Grand Prix World Championship in 1967. He won his first 500cc Grand Prix in 1968.
In 1971, De Coster left ČZ and join the Japanese firm 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...
. It was with Suzuki that he would attain his greatest success, winning the 500cc Motocross World Championship three years in a row in 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...
, 1972 and 1973 before Heikki Mikkola
Heikki Mikkola
Heikki Antero Mikkola was a four-time World Champion motocross racer. Known as the "Flying Finn", and characterized by a fierce, determined style, he was the first Finn to win a motocross world championship....
dethroned him in 1974. De Coster came back and regained the World Championship for the 1975 and 1976 seasons. By the mid-seventies, he had established himself as the greatest motocrosser of all time. In 1980, He joined 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...
for one final season. He left the sport on top, winning his final world championship race — the 500cc Motocross Grand Prix of Luxembourg at the end of the 1980 season. He was also a four-time winner of the Trans-AMA motocross series and was a member of six winning Belgian teams in the 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"...
.
De Coster was known for his smooth, controlled riding style and a commitment to physical training. His training regime gave him the stamina that allowed him to circulate for most of the race in mid-pack before putting in a late charge through the field to victory when other racers had begun to tire.
After his racing career, De Coster moved to the U.S. and remained involved in the sport, becoming the motocross team manager for 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...
and Suzuki. Starting in 2011, he will be the team manager for the Red Bull 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...
team. He has also managed Team USA in the Motocross of Nations.
Awards
De Coster was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of AmericaMotorsports Hall of Fame of America
The Motorsports Hall of Fame of America is a Hall of Fame and museum for American motorsports legends. It was originally located in Novi, Michigan and it moved to the Detroit Science Center in 2009.-Museum:...
in 1994, becoming only the seventh motorcyclist in the Hall. In 1999, he 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...
.
Motocross Grand Prix Results
| Year | Team | Class | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1966 | 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:... |
250cc | 7th |
| 1967 | CZ | 500cc | 5th |
| 1968 | CZ | 500cc | 5th |
| 1969 | CZ | 500cc | 5th |
| 1970 | CZ | 250cc | 3rd |
| 1971 | 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... |
500cc | 1st |
| 1972 | Suzuki | 500cc | 1st |
| 1973 | Suzuki | 500cc | 1st |
| 1974 | Suzuki | 500cc | 2nd |
| 1975 | Suzuki | 500cc | 1st |
| 1976 | Suzuki | 500cc | 1st |
| 1977 | Suzuki | 500cc | 2nd |
| 1978 | Suzuki | 500cc | 3rd |
| 1979 | Suzuki | 500cc | 6th |
| 1980 | 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... |
500cc | 5th |