Motard Mania
MOTARD MANIA
The French connection
A DECADE AFTER THE LAST SUPER-bikers race in the U.S., super motard competition is flourishing throughout Europe. This Yankee born breed of racing made its Continental debut in 1981 following French journalist Philippe Debarle's visit to the ABC-TV Superbikers event at California's Carlsbad Raceway. Upon returning to France, he organized what eventually became the Guidon d'Or (Golden Handlebar), the most prominent of supermotard races, which has attracted riders such as Eddie Fawson, Wayne Rainey, John Kocinski and Jean-Michel Bayle.
A French national series was formed in 1985, with the Germans following suit four years ago with a championship of their own. 1997 promises to be a year of considerable growth for super-
motard, with Spain and Switzerland each launching a national series. There's also talk of a European Cup series to include events in France, Belgium's Mettet circuit and Hockenheim, Germany.
In recent years, Husqvarna's 610 four-stroke has become the most popular bike for supermotard use. And which rider is regarded as the greatest supermotard racer of all time? Not former 500cc world champions Fawson or Rainey, although each has a Guidon d'Or win to his credit. Rather, it's Frenchman Stephane Chambón, holder of several French titles, four Golden Handlebar wins and five Mettet Superbiker crowns-which makes a strong case for naming Chambón the Superman of supermotard.
Don Canet
