Superbike Champion Anthony ‘The Go Show’ Gobert dies aged 48

Former Grand Prix motorcycle racer Anthony Gobert has died his family has announced.

Gobert’s mother released a statement on Facebook saying, “My heart is breaking as I write this as my first born beautiful son Anthony has passed late this afternoon.”

The statement continued with Gobert’s mother revealing, “ he was a victim of addiction which runs deeply in our families. He tried many times to get better but he couldn’t quite make it.”

Gobert was, for a time, one of the best superbike racers in the world, winning the final leg of the World Superbike Championship at Phillip Island in 1994 as a 19-year-old, making him the youngest winner on the circuit.

Gobert competed from 1994 to 2006 finishing on the podium 16 times during his career.

Gobert problems with drugs have been ongoing since at least 1997 when he lost his seat with the Suzuki factory 500cc Grand Prix team following a failed drug test.

The Mirror reports Gobert’s issues with drugs and depression only worsened following the death of his girlfriend in 2004.

In 2008 Gobert was arrested and charged after he stole two $20 notes from a 70-year-old woman in Surfers Paradise. In 2019, following an altercation at a restaurant, Gobert was assaulted and robbed at his home with hospital staff unable to identify him given the extent of his facial injuries.

World Superbikes released a statement saying: “The WorldSBK paddock sends its deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Anthony Gobert. The Go Show' was an 8-time race winner and appeared on the WorldSBK podium 16 times in his career. Ride in Peace, Anthony.”

Fans of Gobert across social media reacted with great sadness to the news, with one saying: “Incredibly sad to hear of the passing of Anthony Gobert, an exceptionally talented motorcycle racer with a career full of accolades many could only dream of.”