A very special line-up of race bikes took centre stage at Le Mans Classic
The 2025 Le Mans Classic won’t be forgotten in a hurry, as two-wheel enthusiasts got to see a special line-up of motorcycles as part of an exhibit.
The 2025 Le Mans Classic was staged over four days earlier this month, as motorcycle enthusiasts were treated to an exhibition that showed off various motorcycles from different eras.
The ‘Collectors Treasures’ exhibit was held in the official Le Mans village and was presented by Amicale Spirit of Speed. The FIM Historic Events Calendar, which Amicale Spirit of Speed plays a role in organising, was originally created in 2021.
The 2025 edition got underway in mid-May thanks to a hugely popular Sunday Ride Classic at the Circuit Paul Ricard, in France. That was followed by last month’s Motor Revival Zolder in Belgium before concluding at Le Mans.
The idea behind the FIM Historic Events Calendar is to celebrate bikes that have been authenticated via a procedure that gives them an unmistakable identity. The procedure is carried out through the FIM Certification for Competition Motorcycles initiative. The scheme is open to any owners and collectors of historically important machines, and helps to catalogue and authenticate the bikes, their owners and their locations.
Some of the impressive machines that were on display during this month's event included a Giacomo Agostini Suzuki 500 RG MK1, and a Honda RCB 1000 endurance bike.
To younger race fans, the name Maverick Vinales will sound very familiar, and his Aprilia 125 RSA was one of the more modern machines on show. That was also the case for a special Ducati Panigale V4 R that Michele Pirro has raced.
The Le Mans Classic was founded in 2002 by Peter Auto, who collaborated with the Automobile Club de l'Ouest, which is responsible for running the famous 24 Hours of Le Mans car race.
Marc Ouayoun, the Managing Director of Peter Auto, said: “I would like to express my gratitude to this passionate and demanding association, which, for this first invitation to our event, was able to assemble an exceptional selection of twenty-four historic motorcycles, all certified under the FIM Heritage Programme.
“Some of these machines have left their mark on the history of motorcycle racing through their track record, technology or rarity. Among the highlights on display, visitors were able to admire Giacomo Agostini's Suzuki 500 RG Mk1, Patrick Pons' Yamaha 350 TZ-A, the Honda RCB 1000 endurance bike and Michele Pirro's spectacular Ducati Panigale V4R. Not to mention the Harley-Davidson 350, World Champion in 1976 with Walter Villa, or Maverick Vinales' Aprilia 125 RSA, which bear witness to the richness of these eras.”
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After graduating with a sports journalism degree, Robert joined Crash.net to lead the WorldSBK coverage in 2021, while also providing MotoGP coverage. Fulfilling that role for over three years, Robert was able to put his knowledge about all things racing to the test.
