Obituary – Geoff Duke OBE

Motorcycle ace Geoff Duke, who died in May at the age of 92, achieved six World Championships and also won six Isle of Man TT races in a decade at the top of his sport. He also showed potential in cars, and after testing for Aston Martin took third place in a DB3 at Goodwood in 1952.

Most of his success, though, came on two wheels, with victories coming from 1949 onwards on works Nortons before in 1953 he switched to Gilera, carrying off three 500cc titles in succession before returning to Norton. In 1951 he was Sportsman of the Year, and in 1953 was awarded the OBE. His racing career ended suddenly in 1961 during a test in a Formula 1 Cooper at Karlskoga in Sweden, when a seized gearbox caused a crash which left him with severe injuries.

Known for his smooth riding style, Duke changed the look of motorcycle racing when in 1950 he abandoned the usual jacket and designed one-piece leathers for himself, which were rapidly copied across the sport. After his Cooper crash Duke ran hotel and shipping businesses in the Isle of Man, also managing a motorcycle racing team in 1963.