Last August we told you about the Dark Rider – Year of Shadow“the SEGA motorcycle that seems taken from a video game and its special story.” Inspired by Shadow the Hedgehog from SEGA’s iconic Sonic franchise, it was specially created in 2024 for the campaign. “Fearless: Year of Shadow” promoted by the Japanese multinational video game company. As they explained at the time, “embodies the themes of bravery, confidence and determination that defined the Shadow celebration that SEGA hosted throughout the year.”
The “Dark Rider – Year of Shadow” turned into a “solidarity piece”
Last April, Sylvain Guintoli ran the London Marathon in honor of his son, who died as a result of Leukemia in July 2025. He did it with his daughters Alicia and Layla and also dressed in a custom racing leather suit by RST. As we already mentioned then, the suit had references to Sonic, Luca’s favorite character. In order to use the image of the well-known virtual character, Guintoli previously consulted SEGA.
After the company’s approval, the French pilot finally raised over £140,000 for PASIC (an organization that helps and supports families whose children suffer from cancer), by completing the demanding sports test. Subsequently, the brand went one step further in its involvement in this cause, donating the “Dark Rider – Year of Shadow” to the Luca Guintoli Foundation, with the intention of raising funds in support of this charitable entity.
In fact, it is believed that this was the first time that a SEGA collectible item, coming directly from the company, was offered for sale at auction. Therefore, it represented a unique opportunity for those collectors who longed to own a unique piece of SEGA history while helping a good cause. Finally, one of these enthusiasts has shelled out £210,000 to get this Dark Rider – Year of Shadow, multiplying Bonhams’ initial estimate almost by 20.
A unique display bike
The “Dark Rider – Year of Shadow” is built on a Bourget-type chassis and has a 1750 cc S&S Super Stock engine with Edelbrock cylinder heads, mated to a six-speed Ultimate gearbox. Weighing 280kg, it measures approximately 2.6m long, 1.1m high and has a handlebar spacing of 900mm. Visually, the black color along with red details, and the lighting integrated into different parts of the bike, reinforce its inspiration in the SEGA character.
It should be noted that this motorcycle cannot circulate on public roads, since the modifications they present are not approved for this purpose. Along with the Dark Rider – Year of Shadow, a custom RST V4.2 kangaroo leather racing suit without airbag and matching gloves were delivered, both items donated by RST. In addition “In 2024, HJC Helmets created a special edition Shadow helmet to coincide with the Year of Shadow and HJC has also donated one”they argued in the previous description provided by Bonhams.
The Guintoli family very excited about the result
The couple formed by Sylvain Guintoli and his wife Caroline were visibly moved when they learned of the final result of the bidding in which “Michael Stanback, a self-confessed Sonic superfan from Nashville, USA, who traveled to Stafford expressly for the sale,” ended up shelling out £210,000 for “Dark Rider – Year of Shadow.”.
Even more so considering that the initial estimate was 10,000 to 15,000 pounds. Finally, it was Guintoli himself who declared to MCN after the autumn event: “On behalf of my family and the Luca Guintoli Foundation, I want to thank everyone who has made this possible, in particular SEGA, Bonhams, RST and MotoGP. It has been a very emotional experience, thank you.”
