Håkan Carlqvist was a real giant.
And a role model for everyone in motocross.
His wild moves as a coach prove that more than anything else.
It was during the 70s that Håkan Carlqvist became a giant in Sweden, and he quickly became one of Sweden’s most popular athletes. He reaped huge success in motocross, but his charming personality, where he was always honest and straight to the point, also made him a real favourite.
Incredibly successful
Carlqvist became Carla with the entire Swedish people, and with him there was never any grumbling. It didn’t matter what injury Carlqvist had suffered, Carla just got on the bike and rode on. Carlqvist was probably more plagued by injuries than any other Swedish athlete in history, but he never felt sorry for himself, and Carlqvist could win competitions even with broken feet and back pain.
Carlqvist became world champion in motocross in 1979 and 1983, and after the last of the two triumphs, he was awarded the Bragdguldet. Considering the winning skull, the character and the knowledge that Carlqvist possessed, it was not so surprising that various stables and engine manufacturers were keen to keep Carla even after he finished his career, and indeed it happened that Carlqvist joined Yamaha, the brand he himself drove for, in a mentoring role.
READ MORE: When Håkan Carlqvist had all the injuries brought up for him and “Carla” responded in the most eloquent way
Great trainer
As a skater, Carlqvist was totally fearless, and he brought that with him as a coach.
– We had tests down in the south of France with our younger riders and Håkan wanted to get the riders to take the inside of a steep hill, but the riders said it was too difficult to do, Gary Benn, team leader for Yamaha, said.
Despite the skaters’ fear, and concern about getting hurt, Carlqvist insisted that there was no danger – and he proved it himself.
– He took one of the skiers’ lifts, put his cap on the back and front, and in just shorts, a t-shirt and shoes, he took the inside of the hill, without problems, and then gave the lift back, says Benny.
Talk about a legend. There will never be anyone like Carla!
READ MORE: When Carla won Swedish sport’s finest prize – but changed his mind the second he himself stood as the winner