Fed: Barry Sheene battling cancer
By Steve Connolly
BRISBANE, Aug 23 AAP - Former world motorcycle champion Barry Sheene today revealedhe was battling cancer.
Sheene, 52, said in a statement he had been diagnosed on July 22 with cancer of theoesophagus and upper stomach.
"Although this is a complete pain in the arse it happens to a lot of people and a lotof people get over it," said the British-born two-time 500cc world champion and motorracing commentator.
"I will do everything within my power to beat this thing."
The popular cockney has called Australia's Gold Coast home for more than a decade.
Sheene joined Network Ten in 1996 as an expert motorsport commentator.
Born in London in 1950, Sheene was introduced to motorsport at the age of five andtook up professional racing on a 125cc Bultaco in 1968.
He won back-to-back 500cc world titles in 1976 and 1977 and went on to win more international500cc and 750cc grand prix titles than any other rider despite suffering many seriousinjuries.
Sheene, who has a son Freddie and daughter Sidonie, has been widely recognised forhis contribution to motorsport, with an MBE in 1978, along with numerous European Sportsman of the Year awards.
"I and my family would appreciate privacy at this time so I can get on with fightingthis in my own way," he said in a statement issued by his manager James Erskine.
"At this time I feel there is nothing more for me to add and I thank all my well-wishersfor their thoughts."
AAP sc/hu/sb
KEYWORD: SHEENE NIGHTLEAD
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