Joel Robert
Six-times World 250 Motocross Champion JOEL ROBERT passed away on January 13, aged 77. Born on November 26, 1943 in Châtelet, Belgium, Joel was surrounded by motorcycles and motorcycling family from birth. His father raced in European Grass Track and Long Track, as did his uncle. A series of small motorcycles passed through his hands until he was old enough to gain a racing licence at 16. When the 250cc European Motocross Championship became the World Championship for 1962, Joel was there on a privately-owned CZ, and by 1964 he was champion, gaining factory CZ support for the following year. He won again in 1968 and 1969, and signed for Suzuki for the 1970 season. Riding the works RN250, Robert took the title at first attempt – the first for a Japanese manufacturer. The 1971 and 1972 Championships followed, bringing his tally to six titles and 50 Grand prix wins – a record that would stand until it was finally beaten by compatriot Stefan Everts in 2004. Although he won, 1972 was the year that altered the course of his career; a serious knee injury late in the season never left him and his form slumped. After three years of lowly results, Suzuki released him from his contract at the end of 1975. In 1976, Joel contested the Championship on the twin-card 250 Puch, and became the Belgian importer for the brand, but there were few major results and he retired at the end of the season. He stayed connected with motocross as a promoter and team manager of the Belgian Motocross des Nations team that was victorious in 1997 and 1998.
The last few years were not kind to Joel, who had been a life-long party man, drinker and smoker. He suffered from diabetes and in 2018 suffered a stroke while on holiday in France. It was while in hospital, following an operation to remove part of his right leg, that doctors discovered that he had experienced two earlier strokes which had gone undetected. In the early days of 2021, he contracted Covid-19 and was taken into hospital in Lodeinstart, Belgium, and suffered a fatal heart attack while undergoing treatment.