Jack Middelburg

Jack Middelburg was a Dutch professional Grand Prix motorcycle road racer. Together with Wil Hartog and Boet van Dulmen, he was part of a contingent of Dutch riders who competed at the highest levels of Grand Prix racing in the late 1970s. Middelburg never earned a factory-sponsored race bike, yet managed to post some impressive results.

Motorcycling career

Middelburg became the second Dutchman to win the Dutch TT in, and in he pulled off an unexpected upset when he defeated the defending world champion, Kenny Roberts, at the British Grand Prix at Silverstone. His British Grand Prix victory aboard a Suzuki RG500 was the last time a privateer competitor won a 500cc Grand Prix race, as motorcycle Grand Prix racing became increasingly professional during the 1980s. His best years were in and 1981, when he finished in seventh place in the 500cc world championships.
Middelburg was killed while competing in a street circuit race in Tolbert, Netherlands in 1984. On 2 April, he lost control of his motorcycle, and was run over by Boet van Dulmen. He was rushed to hospital, and died a day later.