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I take my hat off to the man for giving his all for the puppy! Gutsy bloke..
My Mother has spent her whole life and all her money saving dogs... like dearest Eric she almost gave her life up for them.. spent all her money, lost 2 houses, set up foundations and stuff... then suffered a serious Heart Attack recently at Christmas... she almost died, probably from the stress of what she does, saving Dogs.Her work is unbelievable and how she never gives up- aged 70+ years old.
Here is one of the ones she saved- like your Dogs and Erics, incredibly cute and sweet, poor little thing was found by her strangely near a lake- she had just one eye, the other missing- so cute and she used to play with kids toys and insist on having then toys with her in her bed! She was tiny- and really clever also.
Would I jump in the lake- heck yea- with pleasure- whatever the result !
The Shop
Tribute to Eric Geboers
Belgian motocross legend Eric sadly passed away on 6 May in a tragic accident on a lake in northern Belgium. The legendary multi-time motocross champion is reported to have drowned while attempting to rescue his dog.
Eric Geboers was one of the many Belgian motocross icons and youngest member of the “Geboers clan” the eldest of whom, Sylvain, was the arch-rival of fellow countryman Joël Robert in the 250cc class, finishing runner up in 1969 and 1970 and third in 1968, 1971 and 1972. Actually, the young Eric started his racing career on the same day Sylvain participated in his last race. It was also the only time that all five brothers raced together at one same event.
Eric’s FIM World Championship career was launched in 1980 by Sylvain, who was the Suzuki factory team manager. He claimed victory in France during his second GP, becoming the youngest winner ever at that time. He finished his rookie year with a bronze medal. In the next three years he would climb the 125cc hierarchy: second in 1981, FIM World Champion in 1982 and 1983.
When Suzuki stopped their motocross activities in 1984, Eric switched from the yellow Suzuki to the red Honda and the 500cc class. It was a time when the class was the pinnacle of motocross racing and united such legendary names as André Malherbe (BEL), Dave Thorpe (GBR), Georges Jobé (BEL), Hakan Carlqvist (SWE) and Kurt Nicoll (GBR). Eric was competitive and going for bronze when a broken leg in the British GP stopped his momentum and he had to settle for fifth. It would be the only time in his 10 year career that he would not be in the top three of an FIM World Championship.
Nicknamed “The Kid” in the Honda Team, he finished third in 1985 and 1986. In 1987, he was sent as the sole Honda factory rider to the 250cc class. It proved to be the right move, with a third FIM World Championship to show for it at the end of the season.
The next year, he moved up again to the 500cc class, claiming his fourth FIM World Title after an intense battle with his team mate Dave Thorpe. This remarkable feat made him the only rider ever to be crowned in all three classes; “The Kid” had now become “Mister 875” (the sum of 125, 250 and 500). It also earned him the highest Belgian sports award; the “Trophée National du Mérite Sportif” which honours the best Belgian sports man of the year.
Dave Thorpe and Eric Geboers continued their battles in 1989. The Brit came out on top and the Belgian had to settle for third. Dave joined the Kawasaki factory team in 1990, whereas Eric remained with Honda. Their fierce rivalry persisted with Eric winning his fifth FIM World Championship at the famous Citadelle circuit of Namur. He immediately flew to Brussels for a live TV interview where he shocked the motocross community by announcing his retirement from competition at the end of the season. He won the US GP, the last event of the series, beating American Honda’s number one Ricky Johnson. Eric always said: “You are only as good as your last race…”
Eric Geboers also won the “Coupe des Nations” (FIM World Championship for national teams in the 125cc class) in 1983 and the world famous “Enduro du Touquet” in 1988, 1989 and 1990. Many years later he made a comeback to Motocross, teaming up with his brother at the helm of the Suzuki Motocross team working with riders Clément Desalle and Kevin Strijbos.
The FIM and the entire motorcycle community extend their deepest condolences to Eric Geboers’ family and friends.
RIP
As they generally do.
But heck, I'd expect I, and most people, would jump in after a dog / pup that went in the drink. Just a instant reaction if the environment / waterway you were in seems benign. You'd not realise that their coat is a damned site better insulator than what you have on. You'd just go for the animal.
We lost a dog over the side in a salt water river when I was a kid, and my dad stopped my big brother from going in after her as we had Sharks hanging around. Sure enough, the poor little thing ( a terrier) got made a meal of by (one of) the dirty great big Bull Sharks that were taking most of our catch that day.
It's such a sad, sad end to a magnificent mans life.
yea- as Bearuno says, it probably would be ones natural reaction to save ones beloved pet not realising they maybe able to cope with the cold water better than we can.
Thank God also that Erics friend survived it when he too went in after Eric- also very brave and selfless. Could have been a double fatality.
one of best CR500 rider
I video interviewed him at the USGP in Budds Creek in the early 90's and he was a very nice guy who gave me a great interview. You would never know he was a World Champion as he was very humble and polite.
I need to get it up on the web.
RIP Eric, You will not be forgotten.....
Last time we talked was at the Belgian Team after party at Matterley Basin, last October, sharing a cold Jupiler beer, talking about life, friends and moto!
Godspeed Eric..........
Geboers was a big part of my motocross memories from the 1980's. Of course, his presence in GP's was unforgettable, but I remember an off-season race where he, Micky Dymond, and I think RJ were racing a SX somewhere in Europe in late 1986 or '87. The contrast between Dymond's style and Geboer's couldn't have been more opposite. They were both running toward the front, but that was the epitome of American vs European. RIP Eric Geboers. Godspeed...
http://www.pitpassmoto.com/podcasts/steve-wise-former-honda-great-05-08…
Eric/ RJ /Dymond race 1987
Another interesting one, Eric vs. Bailey vs Jobe
1986 Superbiker Event
RIP Eric Geboers. Thanks for the memories. My dog Dungey and I salute.
Pit Row
Eric involving his helicopter passion, was to fly organ donations to hospitals, for vital life saving operations possibly and peoples recovery from illnesses.
What a brilliant man! I bet he got those organs there real quick as well, if his helicopter skills were as great as his riding, which they probably were!
What a great human being.
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