Later this year, Hugh Anderson becomes New Zealand’s first MotoGP Legend when he gets inducted into the sport’s Hall of Fame.
Anderson, a four-time world champion, will have his ceremony at this year’s Australian Grand Prix at Phillip Island.
The modest Huntly man says he is thrilled to receive such an enormous honour, especially because riding bikes is something he does purely for enjoyment.
“My sole pleasure and reward [in racing] was just from the enjoyment of riding a motorcycle,” he told Bikesport.
“The money and trophies turned up and I thought that was good, but it was the extreme pleasure of winning these races and being able to ride at the level required to beat the best in the world, that I got the most satisfaction from.”
Anderson’s four titles came in the spree of just three years.
He won the 50cc and 150cc championships in 1963.
He repeated his 50cc success the following year before adding a second 150cc title to his résumé in ’65.
Each title was won while riding for the factory Suzuki team.
During that time, Anderson also had two wins in the Isle of Mann TT.
At 30, Anderson retired from the international road racing scene and switched to dirt bike racing.
Typically, Anderson had success in motocross both in Europe and back home in New Zealand.
He was still an active rider well into his 70s and is a prominent figure at domestic race meetings around the country.
The now-aged 86-year-old is one of three MotoGP Legends to be inducted into the Hall of Fame this year.
The other two are Jorge Lorenzo and Max Biaggi.
Inductees already in the Hall of Fame include Mike Hailwood, Casey Stoner and Valentino Rossi.