Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1980's

Championship, just European. In '75 I broke my wrist, but in '76 I switched to the 250cc claaa. I rode a KTM. That was the first year I rode the Trophee des Nations. I did really good in the 500cc in France; I was second overall. "The A mericans are veryfast here. But I think that in Europe it's much different, and z't would be harderfor them. I am sure I can beat them in Europe. " Andre! World Champion Andre Malherbe talks about his fight to retain his 500cc MX title By Terry Whyte I Photo by Jack Wright A few days after the Carlsbad round of the 500cc World Championship MX Series title chase, we had a chance to speak with 26 current World Champion and (then) points leader for '81, Andre Malherbe. The occasion was a publicity photo sesaion, and Malherbe arrived late, full of apologies. Time was short since his flight leaving from Los A~les In· ternational Airport to whisk him back to Belgium was scheduled to take off in three hours. .While Andre clambered into appro· priate motocrOll gear for the photos, we spoke with his wife Sabine. Mar· ried leu than two years, Sabine is also a Belgian citizen, and she was unaware of Andre's profeuional when they first met, "I didn't know he was a ... m ~ racer," rememben Sabine, "I knew nothing about motorcycles, but of course now I am very proud of him." Along with two large dogs and a variety of other domestic animala, they share a large estate on the outskirts of the town of Q.ui in Belgium. "It is very pleasant there and Andre can relax," Sabine told UI. On the day of our ta1It, Malherbe was relaxed and confident of regaining his Number One plate. After the Carls· . bad race, ·he led Honda teammate Graham Noyce by a substantial margin. (Since thtlfl, Noyce had OVtIrtallen MalhtITbe in the point standings. At the July' British GP, Graham carded a 3-2 day to Andre's DNF·7, talcing a StlVtlfl·point lead. Thtlfl, two weelcs 14ter in Hol14nd, MalhtITbe finished 2· 2, compared with Noyce's 1-6, shaving Graham's lead to three, 167 to 164 ... Editor.) Malherbe noted then, "I have a good lead even though I have three DNF, and each time I was un· ble to finish I was ahead of Graham." As the interview continued, Andre and Sabine. occasionally would confer in their native tongue before choosing' the English word beat suited to convey their ideas. When Sabine wasn't in the lhotos herself she would often stan behind the camera and make faces at Andre, her efforts usually reo warded by a smile or quick wink. Malherbe graciously followed the directions of the photographer, staying later than planned and helpfully resuiting for a few importaQt final shots after a problem with the strobe lights was fixed. Jean·Jacques Bruno and friend ar· rived late in the afternoon as Andre and Sabine were leaving, their voices intermingling in three different Ian· guages and reminding us of the rich· neu of International racing. A strong handshake and Malherbe was off to test his sItilIa against rush· hour traffic leading to the airport. The time was short but we gained a few insights into the man who is taking his place in the lone line of Belgian motocrOll stars. Y_'n: 25 DOW aDd at the top of ~ era. radng, but it has taken you many yean to reach thU level. Yes, I first started racing when I was 10; I was six when I got my first bike but 10 when I raced. How did you do in the fint race? (Laughing) I wonl That's a good way to start a careerl There were only five or six boys in the race, but I raced maybe five more times then and five times on a 250cc and I was third in the small amateur championships over there. With such a good start, did you have plam of becoming a great racer? No. At the time I was just doing it for fun. Joel Robert was the best; he was my idol. And then later Roger (DeCoster) was also. I did not know I would later be friends with them. How did you career prograa? In '75 and '74, I was 125cc International champ on a Zundapp. It wasn't a World The next year was the fint season that the American fam noticed you, In '77? Yes, I was 12th in 1976, and then in '77 I finished third. Then I switched to 500cc. I was eighth my first year, then third, and last year (I was) first. In '79, you rode the new Honda. How well did they work? That year went well, but the bikes were not really good, the suspensions were not right and they went like this (makes rocking motion with hands). And ... they hard to ride; I. couldn't get my rhythm. I kept working up but I missed second place by one pomt, I think; that was when Graham won." were "Last year was very hard. All the tz"me between me and Brad, we raced very hard, and there was badfeelz"ng between us." And last year? Last year was very hard. All the time between me and Brad (Lackey), we raced very hard, and there was bad feeling between us. The last GP, you know, there was much bad feeling, because of... pressure for Championship. I wanted it ... he wanted it, but I don't want to tallt about it. That was last year, and this year we are gOod friends again. . Once again this year you aft leading the painll chue even though you've had some problema. I've had three DNFs. One was my fault, two were the bikes'. I had the ignition fail in the second mota in Sweden, and in France, I had the pin that holds the carb slide in place break and the slide, you know, twisted? Yes, and then Carlsbad was my mistake; I fell. "Maybe the fastest is Carlqvist. He is very fast, always gettz"ng the pole position, but he crashes. " And you've won three GPs. Yes, three. Austria and Finland and ... (confers with Sabine) and Italy. I am confident to finish first again. Graham is 50 points behind me, and all the time I am ahead of him. I think Brad is too far behind now although he is a very fast rider. Maybe the fastest is Carlqviat. He is very fast, always getting -po~~K~,buthecrashes. In the fint mota at Carbbad, you hadprob~_, I made a mistake in the first moto. I got a good start, but the track was very hard, and the weather was very warm. The hot weather makes a big difference with me, so I didn't try to stay with Glover. Just tried to stay smooth with no crashing and save my energy for the second race. But then Chuck (Sun) is pressuring me later, and it is no longer possible for me to go fast; I have lost my rhythm. I just went too slow at first and couldn't get back to speed. I wasn't driving very cool, so I was using too much energy trying to go fast. When Gerrit (Wobink) came up to me, I tried too hard and crashed. Did you damage the bike? No, I pulled off because I thought I was no longer in the points. Also I crashed where there was water. Not much water at Carlsbad, but I have to crash right in it. Then my glove was full of water, and I didn't have a good grip. It appeared in the fint mota that your suspemion wasn't dialed to the surface. No, the auapension was fine. We didn't change anything between motos. The difference was my riding. Ifs because I wasn't fast enough for my bike. The second moto I still wasn't fast enough, but I could get a good rhythm. Many Europeam have troub~ at CarlJhad. . Yes, I think it is because of the ground. The track is not very difficult, but the ground is so hard. We never have anything like that in Europe. Maybe one time we had that in France. It was hard, but not slippery like Carlsbad. Very different for us. Ia it the track surface or heat that bothen you IIlWt? I think it is the heat. Never am I so tired after one motol Usually I am less tired the last 15 minutes. This was first time I was so tired after first moto. I think I make a mistake all week. I spend the whole week trying to stay cool so the heat will not get to me. Next year, maybe I'll try to get used to the heat. You rode better the second mota. Still, I was not going as fast as I can drive. At first I thought I could come back up to Shultz, but I was not really feeling well. The more I drive, I'm getting tired and slowing, but I just try to stay in second. I tried to stay away from Sun, but he passed me, and I just couldn't get my rhythm back. How do you rate the American riden like Sun? The Americans are very fast here. But I think that in Europe it's much different, and it would be harder for them. I am sure I can beat them in Europe. How would they do in the Trophee daNatiom? I do not know how well the riders would finish, but I think it would be very nice if they would participate. I don't really understand why not. MoHIy contractual pl'Oblema. You've had problema that 'kept you from last year's Tram-USA. Yes I had a problem with the federation in Belgium. They wanted me to ride National races there, but I didn't want that. I wanted to ride the Trans-USA. It's a very big thing with me. I want very much to win the Trans-USA, and this year I am hoping to ride it. We would like moft European riden to compete. Yes, and also I would like to ride the Superbikers. Last year was my first time, and it was very new to me. I was / a little afraid of the speed, and it was the first time I'd ridden on asphalt. I think it is easier to get good speed on asphalt, not very good speed, but good speed. The traction is more ... control. You did very well, finishing second on your fint try I No, not very well. Well maybe, but "very well" is only when I win. v., .•

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