It looks as if the 14th edition of the Bikers’Classics, which takes place on 1, 2 and 3 July will be memorable in more than one plane. First and foremost are the “classic” machines: the most technological gems, the most powerful and the most recent machines one can imagine: the MotoGP’s. But there is also a series of international stars. The organisers of the Bikers’Classics have long known that a good range of machines is not enough to turn their event into a success. Since 2004, they have recognized the importance of the presence of exclusive celebrities. That year they introduced stars like Randy Mamola, Kevin Schwantz and Freddie Spencer.
In 2016 there are different calibers on the attendance list, and these are certainly not the least … Habitué at the event in Francorchamps, Giacomo Agostini will delight young and old with his class, his good humor and his accessibility. The living legend ‘Ago’ remains to this day the rider with the largest number of titles to his name, with 15 world titles won between 1966 et 1975. He will be in Spa along with riders of his generation, but also “younger” riders such as Christian Sarron (250cc world Champion in 1984), Didier de Radiguès (350cc vice world Champion in 1982), and Michel and Xavier Siméon. Pilots from the past and the present, but also top names among the mechanics, such as the Frenchman Guy Coulon (co-founder of Team Tech 3) and the Belgian Bernard Ansiau (mechanic of Valentino Rossi).
We also expect a lot of big names in the framework of the European Classic Series. This 4H endurance race will be the closing event on Saturday, July 2nd. On top of the local riders Grégory Fastré and Richard Hubin (the first finished second in the last 24 Hours of Le Mans and the second was world champion endurance in 1983) and Stéphane Mertens (vice world champion Superbike in 1989, world champion endurance in 1995 and 2002), THE superstar will without a doubt be John McGuiness, specialist in the Tourist Trophy, where he wrote no less than 23 victories to his name. The English rider will evidently not sing in the background choir, nor will he just be there for the parades, he will dare the great endurance stars aboard his Motul Honda.
Less known to the general public but with an equal record and as much talent, are the specialists of the side-car. They will be numerous to celebrate the return of the tricycles on the track of Spa-Francorchamps. Rolf Steinhausen (world champion 1975-’76), Egbert Streuer (world champion from 1984 to 1986) and his son Bennie (current world champion), Max Deubel (4 times world champion between 1961 and 1964), Larry Coleman (three time AMA champion), Derek “Crazy Horse” Jones, Steve Abbott and Alain Michel, the only French world champion in the speed category for side-cars (in 1990).
They will all be present from 1 to July 3 at the track of Spa-Francorchamps and some big names will undoubtedly be added to the list last minute.
