WorldSBK race winner Anthony Gobert has died, his family have confirmed

The Australian, 48, passed away after a short illness and comes just days after he was revealed to be undergoing palliative care in hospital.

Nicknamed “The Go Show”, Gobert competed on the international stage in 500GP, WorldSBK - where he was an eight-time race winner - and WorldSSP, while he also enjoyed notable success domestically in Australia, in the US-based AMA series and the British Superbike Championship.

Gobert is widely regarded as one of motorcycle racing’s most prodigious, yet unfulfilled talents, his performances on the bike becoming blighted by personal issues he faced off it.

A message posted to Facebook from his mother Suzanne Gobert, reads: “My heart is breaking as I write this, my first born beautiful son Anthony has passed late this afternoon. 

“I loved him from the moment he was born until the day I die At times he was challenging to say the least but he always had a kind heart and cared for everyone.

“Sadly he was a victim of addiction which runs deeply in our families He tried many times to get bette, but he couldn’t quite make it I am so proud of him and thank all those good people who added to his life.”

After winning the domestic Australian Superbike Championship, Gobert made his WorldSBK debut in 1994 at Sugo as a wild-card. 

It was his run to victory on home soil at the Phillip Island WorldSBK season finale that assured his reputation as a star for the future and earned him a deal with Kawasaki for the following season.

Going on to win five more races over the next two seasons, Gobert was duly snapped up by Suzuki to compete in the 500GP World Championship, but was sacked before the end of the season when he failed a drugs test.

On his day, however, Gobert could prove an unstoppable force on two-wheels with career highlights that include his wild-card victory at Laguna Seca with Ducati and on home soil at Phillip Island on the Bimota SB8R.

Indeed, Gobert’s personal struggle with drugs would go on to blight him during the remainder of an intermittent racing career that reduced him to sporadic appearances in WorldSBK, BSB, AMA and WorldSSP over the next decade.

"The WorldSBK paddock sends its deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Anthony Gobert. Ride in Peace, Anthony."

"Anthony made six memorable appearances including a fourth place at Brands Hatch during the 2000 BSB season with Team Virgin Mobile Yamaha, replacing the late Steve Hislop when he was sidelined through injury."