Gaston Rahier dead.

**Motu** · 9th February 2005, 12:27

Gaston Rahier has died,cancer apparently.He was the most famous Dakar racer of them all,winning for BMW in 1984 and 85,also World 125 Motocross Champion 1975,76,77.A very small guy to ride such huge bikes in such difficult conditions - I've been trying to find photos to post,but can't link them,some I can't even save...one has him next to his Dakar bikes,the later one as tall as his shoulders,the seat at chest height - truly a giant of a man.

**Fryin Finn** · 9th February 2005, 13:50

Dang,
I saw Gaston Rahier out here when he was world 125 MX champion. He held a MX class out at Jacksons farm for some of the locals back in the 70's.
A little guy with a big heart and a class act.

**Paul in NZ** · 9th February 2005, 14:05

What a bugger.

Still, what a legacy, every time you see a BMW GS you can thank folk like this...

Paul N

**Hooks** · 9th February 2005, 14:39

Originally Posted by Fryin Finn

Dang,
I saw Gaston Rahier out here when he was world 125 MX champion. He held a MX class out at Jacksons farm for some of the locals back in the 70's.
A little guy with a big heart and a class act.

Yeah I saw him too ... up at wanganui ... a very classy act indeed !! He will be missed I feel ...

**stevedee** · 9th February 2005, 15:42

Sad to here, Gaston was one of my heroes, and he was a big part of the reason I took up dirt riding, and motorcycles. He had the right attitude.

**sels1** · 9th February 2005, 21:50

Originally Posted by Fryin Finn

Dang,
I saw Gaston Rahier out here when he was world 125 MX champion. He held a MX class out at Jacksons farm for some of the locals back in the 70's.
A little guy with a big heart and a class act.

Yeah, I saw him on that tour too. He was awesome. What a shame.

LB · 10th February 2005, 04:00

.
.

Bloody hell.....even though I'm not really into dirt bikes I knew who he was. Sorry to hear.
.
.

**Pwalo** · 10th February 2005, 07:10

Bad news. When I were a young lad Gaston Rahier and Roger De Coster were my heroes.

**dino3310** · 26th January 2010, 21:39

having a nose through the archives, came accross this.....

gone but not forgotten aye

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**MaxB** · 26th January 2010, 22:22

Man, that guy could ride. Sad news.

**merv** · 27th January 2010, 07:29

Like others I saw him in the 70's when he toured NZ. I was in Christchurch then and saw him race at Teddington and later at Woodend. He was a cut above for sure but unlike Kiwis when he fell off in the mud on a rare occasion at Teddington, he didn't pick the bike up and keep going he just ran back to his pit and changed into clean riding gear to be ready to beat everyone in the next race instead.