February 8 2005 Gaston Rahier passed away. A champion small in stature but great in talent and numbers. 'Le petit Gaston' was a multi-purpose pilot, able to triumph in the most famous off-road competitions. From 1975 at 1977 obtained the trio world championship in the Cross World Championship 125 Dominating, far and wide, riding the Suzuki.

In 1978 lost the title to japan's Akira Watanabe. The following year he joined Yamaha, but he couldn't do better than the final third place. The 1980 he saw it happen to the Gilera. In the debut season with the Italian manufacturer, affixed his last signature in a GP. On the Yugoslav track of Trzic he obtained, In fact, absolute success thanks to a second and a first place. He stopped at 29 successes in the eighth of a liter, a record that will last until the last year of existence of the minor class, before the advent of the new categories.

In 1982 returned to Suzuki, but it was also the year that sanctioned his farewell to Motocross. A serious hand injury sustained during the World Cup 250 did not decree, Anyway, the end of his sporting career, because shortly thereafter he embarked on the adventure at the Paris-Dakar. Riding the BMW, in the two-year period 1984-1985 the Flemish hit the big target, entering once again in the legend. But Gaston didn't feel full enough. At that point he put the Rally of the Pharaohs in his sights..

Also on that occasion he returned to his homeland victorious, winning the edition 1988. A new incredible goal that further enriched his palmares, already vast like few others. Among the various Titles, we must not forget the successes he achieved with the Belgian Team at the Motocross of Nations 1976 and the Trophy of Nations in four editions. The passion for two clawed wheels accompanied him until the last day of his existence.

Seventeen years ago Gaston Rahier passed away defeated by cancer, in 58 years, leaving a void that persists with intensity even today. Many enthusiasts continue to remember it, to keep alive the memory of a man who dedicated his life to off-road, marking this world forever.