- Anthony Gobert receives end-of-life care in the hospital
- The world racing sensation is struggling with a short illness
- Gobert has struggled with his fair share of drinking and drug problems
A world-famous motorcycle racing legend is ‘in the final stages of his life’ and receiving end-of-life care in hospital.
A statement from the family of former professional road racer Anthony ‘The Go Show’ Gobert reveals he is receiving palliative care at a Gold Coast Hospital.
Gobert, who became the youngest rider to win a World Superbike race, has been hospitalized with an undisclosed illness.
The statement, posted via Facebook on Wednesday, said: ‘It is with sadness that we have to announce that Anthony is currently in hospital for palliative care and is in the final stages of his life after a short illness.’
The family added that updates would be provided as they became available.
Anthony Gobert ‘is in the final phase of his life after a short illness
The motorsport sensation was the youngest to win a World Superbike race in 1994
“During this difficult time, the videos of Anthony being distributed during an extremely difficult time in his life are deeply concerning,” the post said.
‘On behalf of Anthony, however, we must thank his many supporters throughout his racing career.’
Gobert, 48, competed between 1994 and 2006 and achieved podium finishes in several rounds around the world, including Australia, England, Austria and the United States.
One of his most notable performances came in 1994 when he won the final stage of the SWC season on Philip Island, Australia.
That win made him the youngest ever race winner in World Superbike history, at just 19 years old. That record was broken in 1996 by 18-year-old Yuichi Takeda.
Gobert has long struggled with drug and alcohol abuse, including losing his ride with the Suzuki factory 500cc Grand Prix team after failing a drug test in 1997.
Gobert has long suffered from drug and alcohol problems and said he was a heroin addict
He fell further into substance abuse after his then-girlfriend, Suni Dixon, died in 2004.
Two years later, he admitted to being a heroin addict while on trial for driving with an expired license.
In 2008, he was convicted of robbing a 70-year-old pensioner and a 31-year-old woman, which led to a prison sentence.
“The last time I saw him, he was in a jail cell hearing about our father’s death,” his younger brother Aaron said at the time.
“He missed the funeral.”