Jacques Onda, commonly known as Jacky Honda, second of a well-known four-generation dynasty from Nice, passed away last Sunday at the age of 86.
Son of Jacques Onda, since in the family each eldest has had the same first name Jacques for four generations, it is the latter who, at the beginning of the last century, put the lineage on the rails of motorcycles and competition, as a pilot official Magnat-Debon, He opened the store on rue Trachel at the age of 25, and it was logical that his son followed his path, with nearly ten French championship titles acquired between 1955 and 1965.
Jacky Honda “junior” also linked the Nice store to Yamaha, from 1964, before becoming a single brand 10 years later.
“At the time, the Japanese were multiplying their products and we chose to keep just one, which offered a complete range. Jean-Claude Olivier played a big role in this loyalty” reports the brand's website.
The Onda family has always played a significant role in putting talented riders from the Nice region into orbit, such as Sébastien Gimbert or Arnaud Vincent, and did not hide its pride in having a local rider at the highest level of MotoGP...
Our thoughts are with his family.
