Grand Prix Motorcycling Star Ralf Waldmann Dies

Grand Prix Motorcycling Star Ralf Waldmann Dies

Tributes have poured in for 20-time grand prix motorcycling race winner Ralf Waldmann, who has died at the age of 51

Reporting by Charles Bradley, Global Editor-in-Chief

The German twice finished runner-up in the 250cc world championship, having ridden regularly in grand prix racing between 1986 and 2002, and made a one-off return in 2009.

Waldmann, who also placed third in the 125cc standings in the 1991-92 seasons, embarked on a single campaign in the 500cc class in 1998 for Team Roberts, placing 14th overall with a best finish of seventh.

His victory in the 250cc race at Donington Park in 2000 has gone down in folklore as one of the greatest of all time, as he came back from almost a lap down to win the race at the final corner.

Waldman, 500cc Czech GP, Brno Circuit, 1998
Waldman, 500cc Czech GP, Brno Circuit, 1998

Most recently he had been working with Eurosport on its MotoGP coverage.

Tributes were led by Max Biaggi, who twice beat Waldmann—whose nickname was ‘The Plumber’ due to his family business—to the 250cc title in 1996-97.

Biaggi told Gazzetta dello Sport: “He was a tough fighter on track but a very gentle and funny man outside the track. Despite our battles, never had issues with him. He had a big heart.”

Waldmann celebrating, 250cc: Catalunya GP, Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, 1997
Waldmann celebrating, 250cc: Catalunya GP, Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, 1997

Photos: LAT Images

Source: Motorspost.com