Geoff Duke: The Stylish Champion

This, the fifth in a series aimed at covering the careers of the world’s greatest motorcycle champions, highlights the man who was the first post-war superstar on two wheels, Geoff Duke. Geoff Duke: The Stylish Champion is the story of the man who set new standards and dominated the World Championship scene, first on British Nortons and later Italian Gileras, during the first half of the 1950s, gaining six titles in all.Duke was the firstman to win three 500cc world titles in succession, the first motorcyclist to win the coveted Sportsman of the Year award and only the second motorcyclist to be honoured with an OBE. Additionally, he set new standards of smoothness, which remain unsurpassed to the present day, and pioneered the use of a one-piece leather racing suit. Upon his retirement from racing at the end of 1959, he was to remain closely involved with the sport and at various times carried out the tasks of consultant, team manager and clerk of the course – he was a true ambassador. Geoff Duke: The Stylish Champion is lavishly illustrated with many previously unpublished photographs, making it a must-read for any motorcycling fan. Mick Walker is a leading authority on all forms of motorcycle sport, and he has written about most of them. He has been a successful racer, tuner and team manager. He has been involved in virtually every aspect of the motorcycle business, and he still rides regularly. Between 1983 and 1987 he was editor of Motorcycle Enthusiast and in 1985 his first book was published. Since then he has published over 100 titles covering motorcycles from many countries, in particular Ducati, Norton, Triumph and BMW. Mick Walker has an intimate and unparalleled knowledge of the racing scene and the evolution of the racing motorcycle over the last 50 years.