Renowned Motocross legend Andre Malherbe passed away earlier today. Read on to know how did Andre Malherbe die, what happened to the motocross racer, and what was the cause of his death.
Malherbe was a former three-time FIM 500cc Motocross World Champion. The world is paying tribute to the veteran racer who earned over 40 titles to his name before retirement.
Who was Andre Malherbe?
Andre Malherbe was a Belgian professional Grand Prix motocross racer. Born on March 21, 1956, in Huy as the son of a motorcycle dealer, Malherbe started racing at just seven years. He went on to win his first World title in 1980 at the age of 24.
Malherbe then defended the 500cc crown in the following year after missing on winning the 250cc series in 1977. He was placed third overall in that event. The Belgian racer claimed his third and final 500cc championship in 1984.
After that, he retired from professional racing with around forty-one victories to his name. Malherbe was a widely respected legend in the industry. He acquired a number of off-track roles after retiring from riding the bike.
How did Andre Malherbe die?
Andre Malherbe died on Thursday, November 24, 2022. The Motocross legend was 66 years old at the time of his death. The tragic news of his death was confirmed by his family and friends including David Thorpe.
It’s unknown what were the circumstances surrounding Malherbe’s death at the time of writing. It is believed the racing veteran passed away peacefully at his home. His condition was deteriorating over time due to old age.
Malherbe was among the last living 500 World Champions of the 1980s. With his passing, the class is gone from the world as Eric Geboers and Georges Jobe already left this world previously.
Andre Malherbe dead: What was his cause of death?
The specific cause of Andre Malherbe’s death is unavailable at this time. The statements confirming the news of his death didn’t reveal the cause of his demise. We are trying to reach out to the people close to him to gather more information about the cause.
We know that Malherbe was not in the best condition of his life in the terminal years. He was bounded to a wheelchair and spent most of his time in bed. His condition started getting worse after he was involved in the scary 1988 Paris-Dakar Rally crash.
He suffered a serious spinal injury and was left paralyzed in the crash. However, none of those are believed to be the cause of his death. He could have died of natural causes. Nothing is confirmed at this time.
Tributes Emerge for Motocross Legend Andre Malherbe
Fans and friends are sharing tributes to motocross legend Andre Malherbe on social media. You can take a look at some of the most emotional posts here
The funeral arrangements for the Belgian legend are pending at this time along with an official obituary from his family. The racing world will never forget the glory of Malherbe as #RIPMalherbe trends on Twitter.
Our deepest condolences go out to his family. May God let the departed soul rest in peace.