GODSPEED! DIRK GEUKENS (1963-2020)

Dirk Geukens.

Former 500cc World Championship contender Dirk Geukens passed away on July 23, 2020, at 57 years of age. Dirk was born on June 29, 1963, and had been on a cycling vacations with his wife and friends in Holland on Thursday when at dinner that night he said he was not feeling well and passed away that night—presumably of of heart failure.

Dirk on a Peak Honda CR500 in 1992.

Dirk competed in the FIM 250cc Motocross World Championship between 1984 and 1986, before moving to the 500cc World Championship in 1987. He raced the 500 GPs competitively until 1995. Dirk also competed for Team Belgium at the Motocross des Nations twice—he helped Belgium to second overall in the 1990 Motocross of Nations in 1990 at Vimmerby, Sweden, and again in 1991 at the Valkenswaard MXDN.

Geukens finished third overall in the 1990 and 1991 500 World Championships, won two GPs and finished on the podium 8 times. American fans may remember hims from his three appearances at the USGP at Glen Helen in 1990, 1991 and 1992. In retirement he was the trainer of current Grand Prix rider Jago Geerts.