Honda Motor Europe France and Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) have hosted two iconic French two-wheeled events, with the CB1000F as part of the star cast: the 2026 MotoGP French Grand Prix in Le Mans and the 2026 Sunday Ride Classic held at the Paul Ricard circuit.
This two-day event combines races, parades, exhibitions, driving tests and other activities, and continues to grow, reaching nearly 33,000 visitors by 2025. Both events have highlighted Honda’s racing DNA, while presenting a new chapter in its range of road motorcycles.
Headlining the events was the two-time world champion Freddie Spencerwhose historic 1985 season, in which he simultaneously achieved the 500 cc and 250 cc world titles, remains one of the greatest milestones in the history of the Motorcycle World Championship, even alternating between podiums and starting grids in different categories.
The CB1000F heir to constant evolution
The celebration coincides with the presentation of the new Honda CB1000F, which takes clear design and engineering inspiration from the legendary CB750 Daytona. Both models, along with the world champion NSR500 piloted by Spencer, have been present during the events, underlining Honda’s philosophy: heritage is not static, but alive and constantly evolving.
“The 1985 NSR500 changed everything”Freddie remembers. “It redefined our way of approaching geometry, testing and connection with the rider. Riding it again is like coming home. It’s much more than a motorcycle. It’s part of me and marked the development of subsequent generations of racing machines.”
The NSR500, Honda’s first V4-powered two-stroke Grand Prix motorcycle, established a technical foundation that continues to this day in the current MotoGP RC213V. Spencer’s success with its first version paved the way for the model to become one of the most dominant motorcycles in the history of motorcycling.
Along with Spencer at Le Mans he was Ana CarrascoHonda World Supersport driver, Supersport 300 world champion in 2018 and the first woman to win a world championship on the circuit. Carrasco, with more than 80 participations in Moto3 Grand Prix, represents the present of the competition at Honda.
“I feel more nervous riding this bike than before a race”Carrasco confessed before his opportunity to ride the NSR500. “It is a once in a lifetime moment. Today we depend on data and electronics, but with this machine everything is sensations and connection. It is a real challenge and a privilege.”
The events have also put the spotlight on Honda’s engineering legacy, with the participation of experts from the Honda Collection Hallwho shared the meticulous work necessary to preserve and keep these historic machines operational. Opened in 1998, this space houses more than 150 vehicles on display, plus hundreds more in storage, all kept in working condition.
The person in charge of the project, Fujii-sanexplained: “Our goal is to keep history alive, not just by displaying these machines, but by rolling them. Some are restored in months, others in years, but the philosophy is always the same: ensure that each motorcycle remains a living example of Honda engineering.”
This commitment was also highlighted by the veteran engineer Waguri-sanwhose career began in the 500 cc era. “At that time there were no manuals”he explains. “We rely on original plans and handwritten notes from engineers of the past. Passing on that knowledge to new generations is essential to keeping these bikes alive.”
The contrast between past and current engineering was also analyzed by Ujino-sanformer mechanic for the Repsol Honda MotoGP team and member of the HRC development team. Ujino highlighted the current weight of data analysis compared to the importance of intuition in previous times. “Today we have telemetry and sealed motors”he stated.
“In the two-stroke era, mechanics had to interpret the bike: its sound, its vibrations, even its smell. It required a completely different level of understanding.” The demonstrations and activities have also emphasized the continuity between Honda’s sporting legacy and its future. Spencer recently rode the new CB1000F in Japan and believes it maintains the same rider-focused philosophy.
“What impressed me most was the connection”he pointed out. “Its legacy is clearly felt, but with modern technology, stability and greater ease of use. Honda has always made bikes that allow the rider to go to the limit and return with confidence. The CB1000F conveys this perfectly.” During both events, fans were able to enjoy this unique blend of past and present, with the CB1000F on display, demonstrations of the NSR500 and CB750, as well as meet-and-greets with Spencer.
Julian Muntzerfrom Honda Motor Europe France and one of the organizers, highlighted the overall objective of the project: “This goes far beyond nostalgia. It’s about showing how our history continues to influence current engineering. These bikes are not relics, they are an active part of Honda’s identity.”
At a time when MotoGP continues to evolve with advanced technology and increasingly tight competition, the event has served as a reminder of the sport’s origins and the ingenuity that has brought it to today. Carrasco concluded by summarizing the relevance of this quote: “For today’s riders and fans, understanding this history is essential. Seeing these bikes in action, feeling their presence, connects us to everything that came before.”
