Barry Sheene passed away

British pilot Barry Sheene died this morning in Australia. The 52-year-old 500 cc double world champion had known he had cancer since July.

British driver Barry Sheene, two-time 500 cc world champion in 1976 and 1977 on Suzuki, died this morning in hospital in Gold Coast, Australia, where he had lived since 1987. Sheene had known she had throat and stomach cancer since July but had not wished to resort to chemotherapy. "Frankly, when you think about the number of accidents I’ve had and survived, there’s someone watching over me. You can’t put it all down to luck. I understand what the doctors tell me, but at the end of the day it’s my decision, it’s my life and it’s up to me how I want to run it", he declared shortly after the announcement of his cancer.

Born September 11, 1950 in London, Sheene started motorcycle racing at the age of 5. 125cc English Champion at 18, he made his World Championship debut in 1970 and won the 125cc Belgian Grand Prix the following year. In total, he won 3 victories in 125 and 19 in 500, without counting the European Championship 750 in 1973. Great rival of the American Kenny Roberts in the 70s, he was also known for his spectacular crashes, at the origin of multiple fractures which ended his career prematurely. For several years, Sheene has been commenting on motorcycle competitions for British and Australian television. He leaves behind his wife Stephanie and their two children, Sidonie, 18 and Freddie, 14.

Eric MICHEL

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