Veteran European motorcycle racer Eric Teboul, on what is said to have been the final lap aboard his record-setting rocket motorcycle and of his career, broke the 4-second barrier Sunday with an in incredible 4.976-second run at 290.51 mph at the Euro Finals at the Santa Pod Raceway. Teboul had on Saturday carded a new career best of 5.066 at a slowing 263.52 mph, setting the stage for a history-making sendoff in Sunday’s finale.

Photo by Sean Kevin Bowe

Record of Teboul’s many appearances over the last 12-plus years illustrate a gradual progression toward history, beginning with laps in the high fives at a few ticks over 200 mph. In 2013, he trekked across the Atlantic to Florida’s Bradenton Motorsports Park for the Manufacturers Cup Finals, where he recorded a personal-best and world record 5.12 at 264 mph.

As hydrogen peroxide-fueled rockets can only be stopped by running them out of propellant, accurate fueling to run to the 1/4-mile blocks can be both tricky and dangerous, but some eyewitness accounts say Teboul loaded the bike up with propellant in his farewell appearance to chase the long-awaited barrier.

An absolutely amazing act of bravery, one that may never be equaled on two wheels, that we are all fortunate to have witnessed in some fashion or another. Enjoy your retirement, Eric!