The Sunday Ride Classic, or SRC, an unmissable event stormed by enthusiasts, is back on the weekend of May 18 and 19, 2024 for an edition which already promises to be exceptional; Raymond Roche will be there. From year to year, the nectar of old motorcycles comes together at the no less legendary Paul Ricard, in the Var, to celebrate our favorite machines. And, good news, the ticket office is open!
A French legend
Where to start ? Over the course of the 1980s, Raymond Roche acquired the status of a key driver in France.. This is due to his talent, of course, but also and above all to his versatility, his enormous consistency, and his resilience rewarded by podiums at the highest world level.
His first appearance in the world motorcycle speed championship dates back to 1976. Two years later, on Yamaha, he already reached his first podium in 250cc. It takes him a few years to acquire this major place on the chessboard, but also for good reason: Raymond loves endurance. In 1981, he won the world title in the discipline with Jean Lafond. Now in 500cc, the premier category, he is increasingly pressing against the big names of his time.
Everything accelerates with his move to Honda during the 1983 season. That year, he won the Bol d'Or with Dominique Sarron and Guy Bertin, but even more, regularly flirts with the podium in 500cc. In 1984, he was on it in more than one race out of two.
Even today, this historic season remains a milestone in the history of French motorcycle sport. Faced with Eddie Lawson, Randy Mamola and other Freddie Spencer, Roche struggles like hell. With eight podiums and two poles, he took third place in the general classification! Unfortunately, no victory to definitively make him a legend. But it will come.
Despite another second place at the end of the 500 1985cc French Grand Prix, a move to Yamaha put an end to the great epic. After returning to Honda in 1986, he is signed by Cagiva to try to make the Italian beauty work, but it is more difficult than expected.
Why not turn, therefore, to the Superbike world championship, created in 1988? This has been done this season, first for a few races, then for the whole year. He is already third in 1989 on the Ducati which is doing well, and won the 1990 world title under the noses of Pirovano and Mertens. Still brilliant in 1991 and 1992, he failed in second place in the two respective years, before stopping at the very high level.
An exceptional career, undoubtedly one of the best in the history of French motorcycle sport.. So, don't miss this exceptional opportunity to see him at the Sunday Ride Classic 2024, on May 18 and 19 at the Paul Ricard circuit!
find the SRC on social networks:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SundayRideClassic
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sundayrideclassic/?hl=fr
Ticket office: click here.
Cover photo: SRC