Sega ‘Dark Rider’ motorcycle shatters auction price in aid of Luca Guintoli foundation

A one-of-a-kind 2000 Bourget custom, inspired by Shadow the Hedgehog from Sega's iconic Sonic the Hedgehog franchise, shattered its estimate at last weekend’s Bonhams Autumn Stafford sale. 

The ‘Dark Rider - Year of Shadow’ motorcycle eventually sold for £210,000 on Sunday, October 11, after it was only expected to sell for around £10,000 to £15,000. 

The custom motorcycle was donated to former MotoGP rider, and 2014 WorldSBK champion, Sylvain Guintoli, in support of the Luca Guintoli foundation.

The foundation was set up in 2025 for Guintoli’s son, Luca, who tragically passed away at the age of six last summer, following a near year-long battle with cancer.

The foundation is designed to promote and protect the physical and mental health of children that suffer from autism or cancer, alongside their families in England and Wales. It does this through financial assistance, support, education, and practical advice. 

All proceeds from the bike’s sale went to the foundation, which was the second-highest-selling motorcycle at the auction, behind a Brough Superior SS100 which sold for £327,750.

By fetching a price of £210,000, the 1,750cc motorcycle sold for nearly 15 times more than its original estimate.

The Bourget's Bike Works custom build was produced by Sega in connection with Oil Sweat & Gears and Atmospherics SFX.

According to the auction listing from Bonhams, this was the first time that a piece of Sega memorabilia, coming directly from the company, was offered for sale at auction.

As well as the bike’s £210,000 sale figure, Guintoli also raised £150,000 for PASIC (Parents' Association for Seriously Ill Children) earlier this year by running the London Marathon, alongside his daughters Alicia, and Layla, in a full one-piece leather suit featuring a Sonic the Hedgehog design.

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