With 10 years of professional motocross and roadracing under his belt, Gobert has proven he has the talent to dominate the competition on anything with two wheels and an engine. U.S. roadrace fans will thrill to his exciting riding style as he joins teammate Tommy Hayden racing in both the Superbike and 600cc Supersport classes.
Gobert's racing roots are firmly planted in the dirt. Beginning his racing career on a motocross bike, Gobert started his collection of championships at age 12 when he was awarded the "Mr. Motocross" Championship in both the 80cc and 125cc classes in his native Australia. He went on to win that title the following two years as well. Then in 1991, at the age of 16, Gobert took home the Australian 125cc Supercross Championship and finished third overall in the 250cc class. He continued his winning record in 1992 as the 250cc Peter Jackson Supercross Champion. Gobert also took home a total of 17 Australian Junior Motocross and dirt track championships.
In 1992, Gobert put his talent to work on the asphalt in the Australian 250cc production class winning the 250cc championship in his rookie year.
Gobert entered the highly competitive World Superbike series 1994. He amazed the race community by entering the Phillip Island round of World Superbike as a wild card?and won the race! Since his incredible debut, Gobert has captured nine World Superbike and nine AMA Superbike wins.
After several years of AMA, World Superbike and 500cc GP racing, Gobert joins team Yamaha looking for a championship. His past accomplishments, including holding the outright track record at Daytona (1:48.516), proves he has the speed necessary to win. "I'm really focused on results this year," said Gobert. But, this year his responsibilities have doubled as he tries his hand in both the ultra-competitive 600cc Supersport class and super fast Superbike class. "I'm looking forward to riding the Yamaha R6 in the 600 class — it's got awesome power and handles like a GP bike!" He's already been beating up the competition this year at Willow Springs Club events. And he's also cutting fast, competitive lap times on the high-powered Yamaha R7 Superbike. Look for Gobert to be battling for the lead in both classes and racking up precious championship winning points.
"Anthony is an extremely talented rider. He has proven he can succeed at anything he sets his mind to," said Larry Griffis, Yamaha Racing Division Manager. "He's shown tremendous speed on both the R6 and R7 during pre-season testing — it's going to be a great season of racing."
Gobert's tremendous talent and personality will make him one of the most exciting racers to watch this season. His focus, coupled with the support of Team Yamaha, will prove to be a powerful force this season.
Steve Rounds is Gobert's Superbike technician and Jeff Myers will serve as his 600cc Supersport technician in Daytona.
Taking on the challenge of racing back-to-back classes doesn't faze the youngster. He's determined to do whatever it takes to win this year. Last year Hayden completed the season sixth overall in the Superbike class, improving on his 1999 season's eighth overall finish. He also took fourth overall in the 600cc Supersport class, finishing all but one race within the top five.
"As I have gained more experience in the Superbike class, my riding has really improved," said Hayden. "Now, with two years in the class and a full year on the Yamaha R7, I'm ready to put my head down and get some great results. Last year I was very consistent. I plan to build on last year and run in the front in 2001."
"Tommy is a talented rider with broad racing experience," said Yamaha racing division manager Larry Griffis. "He has a great handle on the R6 and Supersport class. Now, after a year of experience on the R7 in the Superbike class, we are expecting to see great things from him there, too."
Hayden comes from a strong family of motorcycle racers — his two brothers also have factory sponsorships. He began his racing career in dirt track competition at the tender age of three riding on a Yamaha PW50 with training wheels.
In 1992, he began road racing the Formula-3 class at the WERA Grand nationals. In 1993 he walked away the winner of two events at the WERA Pro Series and finished on the podium in all but one round.
By the end of the 1994 season, Hayden advanced from the amateur dirt track level with 15 amateur national titles. That same year, Hayden raced selected events in the Spanish National Championship series.
During his Pro-Am 1995 season, he won several regional events earning him the points necessary to move into the Expert division later that season. That same year he finished second in the Kenny Roberts Dirt Track Invitational in Spain.
In 1996, Hayden earned his professional license racing the AMA Grand National Championship Dirt Track series and finished eighth at the DuQuoin Illinois Mile. That year Hayden began road racing in the AMA 600cc Supersport series, where he took 15th in his first ever AMA National road race at Mid-Ohio.
Hayden finished the 1997 season 12th in the AMA Superbike Series and was named Rookie of the Year based on his numerous top-10 finishes. Hayden finished out the 1997 AMA 600cc Supersport Series 14th finishing third at Laguna Seca. Hayden continued to improve in 1998, finishing seventh in the 600cc class and taking second at Mid-Ohio.
During the 1999 season, Hayden showcased his talent and continued to improve with a second place overall finish in the 600cc Supersport class and an eighth place overall finish in the Supersport class. As a testament to his phenomenal talent, Hayden won a 750 Supersport race at Mid-Ohio in a David vs. Goliath battle on his smaller 600cc Yamaha R6 — becoming the first 600cc rider to do so. At Pike's Peak Hayden even set a new track record.
Hayden's talent, drive and team experience find him ready to dominate the 600cc and Superbike classes in 2001. With the support of Team Yamaha, Hayden will be a powerful force in racing. Wrenching for Hayden in 2001 is Tony Romo on Superbike and Greg Groce on 600cc Supersport.
