The Bikers’ Classics is held each summer at the famed Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, in Belgium. June 19-21, 2009, marked the seventh year for the classic racing event, and this year the theme was “The return of the 750s.”
Legendary motorcycles and their famous riders returned to Spa to highlight the event, including 15-time World Grand Prix champion Giacomo “Ago” Agostini parading the historic Yamaha OW23. Thirty-five years ago the bike was shipped straight from Japan to the track of Francorchamps where Ago came in first. History repeated itself following a request by Ferry Brouwer and the Yamaha Classic Racing Team, when Ago’s famous OW23 was taken out of the Yamaha museum and shipped to Belgium exclusively for the Bikers’ Classics.
The event also featured Ducatis, Nortons, Suzukis and Hondas. Famous racer and now curator of his own motorcycle museum Sammy Miller was in attendance and paraded a variety of machines.
Though the track may have changed considerably since the glory days of the past, the atmosphere hasn’t changed at all. This year’s event also paid tribute to Luigi Taveri. Now 79 years old, Taveri was a three-time champion in the 125cc category and succeeded in scoring points in all the categories of the day, even sidecars, between 1953 and the end of his GP career in 1966. In that time he was a factory rider for MV Agusta, Ducati, Honda and more.
The 2010 event will be held July 2-4, and sources say next year’s gathering will highlight the early years of Superbike. Plan now to attend! More information at http://eng.bikersclassics.be
