The 16th Sunday Ride Classic, held from May 17 to 18, 2025 at Paul Ricard, promises to be exceptional; with, once again, the presence of "Fast" Freddie Spencer. This unmissable event for all motorcycle fans never fails to celebrate the jewels of motorcycling history, whether they are riders or competition machines. Freddie Spencer, two-time 500cc world champion, will be there to celebrate his 1985 exploit; but what is it all about?
1985 was a great year for motorsports. In the motorcycle Grand Prix, one man decided to achieve a superhuman feat. A historic double, reminiscent of those of the legendary Agostini and Hailwood. Winning the 250cc and 500cc titles in the same year, all supported by HRC.
First of all, let's appreciate the challenge. Doubles are not uncommon in history, as 15 people have already managed to win two titles in a single year, up until 1988. "King Ago" is the master of the subject, with five career doubles (350cc/500cc). However, this should be qualified. Most of the time, these exploits took place before the revival of the 1980s, the transition to the "modern era," shall we say. Then, the 250cc and 500cc boxes had never been checked simultaneously.
Spencer with his two motorcycles: the 250cc on the left (green plate), and the 500cc on the right.
Freddie Spencer is not a rider like the others. From the moment he joined the motorcycle world full-time in 1982, he dazzled the world with his talent. The American even became the youngest world champion in 1983, just one year after his debut. To achieve this, Honda put him in excellent conditions. In 250cc, it is the only one equipped with an RS250RW, also sponsored by Rothmans. In the premier class, "fast Freddie" was equipped with an NSR500, the latest evolution that the other top drivers (Randy Mamola and Wayne Gardner) discovered later in the year.
Traditionally, the season begins with the Daytona 200. From then on, Spencer made his mark. He won the Superbike class in style, moving up the ranks. A performance that has gone down in history, considered one of the greatest on the Florida track..
The challenge can now begin. At the start of the championship in South Africa, Spencer won the 250cc class. This is Honda's first victory in this category since Ralph Bryans in 1967.. As you will have understood, Freddie does not have time. However, defending champion Eddie Lawson resists him in 500ccHe still finished second.
Although he managed to win the 500cc race in Spain, the Jarama circuit posed problems for him in the 250cc class. A poor ninth place saw him fall behind his rivals Anton Mang and Carlos Lavado in the overall standings. Still no victory in GermanyAnd there, the challenge takes a completely different turn. The start of the season is good, but running twice in the same day is trying. Shouldn't Freddie focus on just one category or risk ending up as double runner-up?
A year that was far from easy.
Fortunately, doubts were swept away at Mugello. He became the first man to win the 250cc and 500cc races on the same day since Tom Herron at the 1976 TT, and Jarno Saarinen in 1973 in the more conventional races. History is in the making.
The rest of the 250cc season was unprecedented. This victory on Italian soil marked the beginning of a six-race unbeaten run. A fourth place at the British Grand Prix sealed the fate of the class; Spencer is the quarter-liter world champion. Immediately, he decided to stop competing on this engine to concentrate on the big one.
Indeed, the 500cc class is more competitive than ever. Eddie Lawson, as usual, is not giving up and is showing disconcerting consistency. Spencer is the only one who can compete; Sarron is third and is not playing in the same league despite a victory in Germany, which will also be celebrated during this Sunday Ride Classic 2025.
The TT Assen could have been the deciding factor, given the carnage among the leaders. Fortunately, the top three left without scoring a single point. Not far away, at Spa-Francorchamps, the championship is evolvingSpencer is now much stronger than Lawson, there is no longer any doubt about it. The Honda factory rider takes the next four victories, then is crowned world champion in Sweden, one race before the end. Spencer achieved the feat that was thought impossible. In addition, he missed the final round of the championship due to a thumb injury.
The difficulty of the whole thing must be taken into account. Lawson, in finishing second, scored an average of 11,05 points per race (based on 15 points for the winner), which is enormous for a vice-world champion. The same goes for the 250cc, where Mang averaged over 10 points! This feat demanded a huge amount of resources from "fast Freddie." Too much.
He never won a single race again. It's hard to believe, but it's the harsh reality. Many experts agree that this season was not unrelated to the American's loss of form.The level of commitment was such that injuries, delayed, accumulated thereafter.A sad return in 1989 did not change the situation, but after all, history had already been written.
Don't miss the opportunity to celebrate this show of strength's 40th anniversary! To do this, come to Paul Ricard from May 16 to 18 for the Sunday Ride Classic 2025!
To share this historic moment, the SRC offers you access to its ticket office at a reduced rate
https://www.sundayrideclassic.com/billetterie
May 17 & 18, 2025
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Spencer is a regular at the Sunday Ride Classic. Come meet him there!
