It's time to wave black flag at Gobert, insists Gardner
Email Print Normal font Large font By Peter Mckay
March 5, 2006
FORMER star rider Anthony Gobert should be banned from racing, at
least in the short term, because of his well-documented drug problems,
says Australia's 1987 world 500cc motorcycle champion, Wayne Gardner.
"It's insane that he is allowed to race, given his recent history of
drug use," Gardner said.
Racing in the World Supersport Championship at Phillip Island this
weekend, Gobert - who turns 31 today - is trying to re-establish
himself on the world motorcycle stage after much-documented battles
with drugs and alcohol. He has been sacked from some teams, and walked
out on others.
But Gardner believes Gobert, the one-time 500cc grand prix and World
Superbike rider, should be on the other side of the Armco barriers.
"Not only is he a danger to himself, he is potentially a danger to
everyone on the track with him," he said. "Gobert is probably the most
naturally talented rider I've ever seen but a huge disappointment for
the way he's squandered his talent and opportunities.
"He shouldn't be allowed near a race track until he has shown he has
mended his ways. And I can't see that happening.
"That guy will never learn. He's had a thousand warnings and he's
still doing the silly stuff. He's a sad case. He's a disgrace to the
sport.
"So many people have worked so hard over the years to lift the image
of motorcycle racing, and Gobert's stupidity really hurts the sport."
The heavily tattooed Gobert's misdemeanours, which began with a
positive dope test when he was with the Suzuki grand prix team in
1997, have not frightened off everyone in international motorcycle
racing.
He was invited to ride in the first two World Supersport races for a
private French Yamaha team, and announced last weekend he would
compete in the Valencia round of the World Superbike Championship for
a Spanish Suzuki squad. He also anticipates tackling the Spanish
Formula Xtreme championship.
Australia's leading World Supersport rider, Kevin Curtain, at Phillip
Island for the championship, said Gobert's drug use had been a hot
topic in motorcycle racing.
"The world knows about it so I guess there's a chance he'll be [drug]
tested here this weekend," he said. "He's going pretty fast today, so
I don't think he's on anything."
Motorcycling Australia, the controlling body of the sport in this
country, said Australian motorcycle racing complied with the code of
the World Anti-Doping Agency.
"Testing can be done randomly, or pre-arranged," said MA's Daniel
Hutchinson. "Anthony Gobert and any other rider is exposed to that."
Meanwhile, World Supersport rookie Kenan Sofuoglu's aggressive riding
has attracted criticism from Curtain. The blunt-talking veteran said
the young Turk had better tidy his on-track manners.
"If he repeats here what he did to me last weekend [in Qatar], I'll
fence him," said Curtain of Sofuoglu's aggressive riding style during
the race.
Curtain (Yamaha) and Sofuoglu (Honda) finished second and third in
Qatar, behind defending world champion Sebastien Charpentier (Honda).
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