Nationality German | Current team Retired | |
Born 4 December 1937 (age 79)
Grottkan Schesein, Germany ( 1937-12-04 ) | ||
Gustav Franke (born 4 December 1937 in Grottkan Schesein, Germany), is a former German International motorcycle trials rider. Franke was FIM World Trials Champion in 1965 and 1966 when the Championship was known by its original title of the Challenge Henri Gouthars.
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Biography
Gustav Franke was the top trials rider in Germany throughout most of the 1960's. He won his first national title in 1962 and defended it in 1963.
Franke competed in the inaugural Challenge Henri Gouthars Championship in 1964 finishing runner up to British Greeves rider Don Smith. Franke had won the opening round in Belgium but the French and German rounds went Smith, and with them the title. On the national scene Franke was once again German Trials Champion.
In 1965 Franke won the championship ahead of fellow Zundapp rider Andreas Brandl. He retained the title in 1966, this time holding off Don Smith. He won the German national title both years.
The pair resumed their rivalry in 1967, this time with Smith taking the win ahead of Franke by 10 points.
The Challenge Henri Gouthars was renamed the European Championship for the 1968 season, and with it came a new winner. Irishman Sammy Miller took his Bultaco to victory with Franke finishing a strong second place. Franke competed in the European championships until his final international year in 1971.
Franke added the 1967, 1968 and 1969 German Trials Championships to his tally before his 8 year run was ended in 1970 by Ludwig Terne, although Franke did add one final title to his name by winning once again in 1971.