The 16th Sunday Ride Classic, held from May 16 to 18, 2025 at Paul Ricard, promises to be exceptional and marked by the presence of the legend Raymond Roche. This unmissable event for all motorcycle fans never fails to celebrate the jewels of motorcycling history, whether they are riders or competition machines. Raymond Roche was the first French Superbike world champion. How can we miss the 35th anniversary of his 1990 title?
If the celebrations around Roche will be centered on the 1990 coronation, Let us tell you his story in motorcycle sports.
A French legend
Where to begin? Throughout the 1980s, Raymond Roche has acquired the status of an essential 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 motorcycle world championship dates back to 1976. Two years later, on Yamaha, he already reached his first podium in 250cc. It took him a few years to achieve this major position on the chessboard, but also for good reason: Raymond loved endurance. In 1981, he won the world title in the discipline with Jean Lafond. Now in the 500cc, the premier class, he was increasingly challenging the leaders of his time.
Raymond Roche at the 24 Hours of Liège in 1981.
Everything accelerated 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 flirted 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 racing. Faced with Eddie lawson, Randy Mamola and others like Freddie Spencer, Roche is going all out. With eight podiums and two poles, he takes third place in the general classification! Unfortunately, there was no victory to definitively cement him as a legend. But it will come.
Here in Assen in 1984, a race finished in second place. Photo: ANEFO
Despite another second-place finish at the 500 1985cc French Grand Prix, a move to Yamaha put an end to his epic run. After returning to Honda in 1986, he was signed by Cagiva to try to get the Italian car going, but it proved more difficult than expected.
So why not turn to the Superbike World Championship? created in 1988? This was achieved this season, first for a few races, then for the whole year. He was already third in 1989 on the Ducati which was going well, and wins the 1990 world title from under Pirovano and Mertens' noses. Still dazzling in 1991 and 1992, he failed to finish second in both respective years, before stopping at the very highest level. It is this major event in French motorcycling history that will be celebrated at the SRC 2025, so don't miss it.
An exceptional career, therefore, without a doubt one of the best in the history of French motorcycle racing. So, don't miss this exceptional opportunity to see him at the Sunday Ride Classic 20254, May 16, 17 and 18 at the Paul Ricard circuit!
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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https://www.facebook.com/SundayRideClassic
Raymond Roche (No. 1) versus Doug Polen, what a duel.
