Motorsport sensation ‘is in the final stages of his life’ following a short illness

A world-renowned 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 the former professional road racer Anthony ‘The Go Show’ Gobert revealed that he is in palliative care in a Gold Coast Hospital.

Gobert, who became the youngest rider to win a World Superbike race, has been hospitalised with an undisclosed illness. 

The statement posted on Wednesday via Facebook said: ‘It is with sadness that we have to announce that Anthony is currently hospitalized in palliative care and is in the final stages of his life following a short illness.’ 

The family added that updates would be provided when available.

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 what has been an extremely troubled period of his life are deeply concerning,’ the post read.

‘However, on behalf of Anthony, we must thank his many supporters from throughout his racing career.’

Gobert, 48, competed between 1994 and 2006 and podium-placed in various rounds around the world including in Australia, England, Austria and the United States.

One of his most notable achievements came in 1994 when he won the final leg of the SWC season at Philip Island, Australia. 

That win saw him become the youngest ever race winner in World Superbike history, aged just 19 years old at the time. That record was broken by Yuichi Takeda, 18, in 1996.

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 drug and alcohol issues and said he was a heroin addict

He fell further into drug abuse after his then girlfriend, Suni Dixon, died in 2004.

Two years later he admitted to being a heroin addict while he stood trial for driving with an expired licence.

In 2008 he was convicted of robbing a 70-year-old pensioner and a 31-year-old woman, leading to a jail stint. 

‘The last time I saw him, he was sitting in a prison cell and found out about our father’s death,’ said his younger brother, Aaron, at the time. 

‘He missed the funeral.’