On May 1st, legendary motorcycle racer Geoffrey Ernest Duke, better known as Geoff Duke, passed away at the age of 92. The English-born star won six world titles and six Isle of Man Tourist Trophies in the 1950s, leaving a big mark on the motorcycling world.

Geoff Duke started racing bikes in 1949. He was the first to use a one-piece leather suit to compete in the Tourist Trophy race, and the first rider to win the 500cc world championship three years in a row, from 1953-1955. Over the course of his career, he won 33 world championship races.

Duke retired from racing in the early 1960s after a short and injury-riddled stay in Formula One. He had been living at Isle of Man for many years.

Source: telegraph.co.uk

Photo: Wikicommons