German rider Paul Friedrichs passed away last Thursday 30 August, aged 72. He spent the last two months in a hospital. He won three consecutive FIM 500cc Motocross World Championship titles from 1966 to 1968.

Born on 21 March 1940, Paul Friedrichs grew up in Mecklenburg (then East Germany) where he became member of motor sport clubs. Following intensive training, he was to become a world Motocross top rider. In 1965, he was runner-up to Jeff Smith in the FIM 500cc Motocross World Championship, before claiming his first world title in 1966 as a CZ factory rider, racing the famous 360cc machine. It was the first 500cc World crown earned by a two-stroke machine. He successfully defended his title in 1967 and 1968, and finished third in 1969, fourth in 1970 and 1971, always as factory top rider. In 1972, Friedrichs finished runner-up to Roger de Coster who had passed from CZ to Suzuki. That same year Friedrichs also took part in the International Six Days’ Trial (ISDT) as a member of the East German national team which ended second in the World Trophy contest.

All the members of Youthstream and the FIM extend their sincere condolences to his family and friends.

Photo: Paul Friedrichs during his racing career - photo credit: FIM Archive

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