There has been quite a bit about Anthony Gobert in the press over recent days. First there was a video on Youtube where he talks about his addiction struggles with drugs and alcohol and then there have been numerous reports that he is in palliative care in Oz suffering from multiple organ failure. Sadly, it seems that he is very seriously ill, with probably not long left.
I remember him in the World Superbikes as a phenomenal rider. Watching on TV the Donington 1995 or 96 round, I recall him on the Kawasaki approaching the Melbourne hairpin, the rear was in the air and appeared to be still there when he was turning it in. No-one could touch him and none of the other riders seemed to have the same level of control and mastery of his machine as he had then - and that was a field with Foggy, Kocinski, Edwards, Corser, Slight and Frankie Chili in it, they were all pretty special. I know it went off the rails for him at the end, but he was a real natural talent at his best.
I can't think of any rider who has had the same level of problems he had. I know Lucchinelli and Gary Lingham were done for drug smuggling, Danny Kent did time for carrying a knife and Ant West and Iannone were banned for drugs, in their cases I think they were performance enhancing drugs, whilst I think Anthony Gobert's sacking by Suzuki was for "recreational" drug use. Am I right in saying his was the most troubled career?
I hope Anthony pulls through, although it doesn't look good for him and I feel for this family and wish them all the best. His brothers Aaron and Alex were pretty good riders too and Aaron was himself an AMA Supersport champion.
