GASTON RAHIER, who won the world motocross championship three times, died this week aged 58 after a long illness. In 1975 Rahier became the first 125cc champion, a title he went on to claim for the next two years.
In recognition of his achievement Rahier was awarded the National Trophy of Sporting Merit, the highest sporting accolade in his native Belgium. The diminutive Rahier then turned his attentions to the desert, claiming consecutive victories in the motorcycle category of the Paris-Dakar Rally, in 1984 and 1985.
In recording over a thousand career victories, Rahier will be remembered as an integral part of the success of his sport in Belgium. He is to be buried in Chaineux, Belgium, today.
OTHER FAREWELLS:
Jemal Chimakadze, Lokomotiv Tbilisi football coach, 61.
Malcolm Kutner, NFL player for Chicago Cardinals, 83.
Jeremy Barrett, skydiver, 24.
Nedzad Botonjic, Ljubljana goalkeeper, 27.
Billy Baker, Cardiff City footballer, 84.
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