Paul Friedrichs

Paul Friedrichs (born March 21, 1940 in Buchholz) was an East German motocross racer. He won three consecutive FIM 500cc motocross world championships from 1966 to 1968.

Friedrichs grew up in Mecklenburg where he joined the motor sports clubs MC tractor Franzburg, MC Dynamo Rostock / Sportvereinigung (SV) Dynamo. With the training offered by the clubs, he developed into one of the best motocross and Enduro riders of his time. In 1965, he finished in second place in the 500cc world championship, behind Jeff Smith, before claiming his first world title in 1966 as a member of the ČZ factory motocross team. He successfully defended his crown in 1967 and 1968, before falling to third place in the 1969 championship. Friedrichs finished second to Roger De Coster in the 1972 500cc world championship. Friedrichs also competed in the 1972 International Six Day Trial as a member of the East German national team that finished second to the powerful Czechoslovakian national team.