S uzuki ’ s first motocross world champion , Joel Robert , has died at the age of 77 . The Belgian motocross legend had suffered poor health in recent years and was taken into hospital in Belgium earlier this month , after contracting Covid-19 . It is reported that the former MX champ suffered a fatal heart attack whilst undergoing treatment at the hospital . Joel was already a three-time world champion when he joined Suzuki for the 1970 250cc FIM World Championship . He secured the world title for Suzuki that year and again for the next two years . After retiring from riding , Joel went on to team management and promoting major motocross events such as the Coupe de l ’ Avenir and 12 Heures de la Chinelle events in Belgium . He was also team manager for the Belgian Motocross des Nations team that won the event in 1997 and 1998 .