Bikers'Festival Alain Genoud to Be One of the Star Guests at the 2026 Bikers’Festival

Thanks to the inclusion of the Bikers’Classics on its programme, the Bikers’Festival welcomes some of the biggest names in motorcycle racing history to the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps every year. The weekend of August 15 and 16 will be no exception, with the confirmed presence of Alain Genoud, one of the most iconic figures in endurance racing.

Frenchman Alain Genoud's career is inseparable from that of Georges Godier. United by their passion for racing, the pair emerged on the endurance scene in the early 1970s and quickly rose through the ranks, claiming back-to-back victories in the Bol d'Or with Kawasaki France in 1974 and 1975, while also securing consecutive European Endurance Championship titles.

Genoud and Godier's technical expertise led them to join forces with mechanical engineering lecturer Pierre Doncques. Together, they developed the first motorcycle of the modern era to feature a rising-rate rear mono-shock suspension, based on Kawasaki mechanical components. This suspension concept has since become the industry standard. Their machine also stood out for its exceptional ease of maintenance, thanks to a one-piece seat-and-fuel-tank unit that provided quick access to the engine. A truly pioneering design.

After retiring from racing, the two partners went on to build Kawasaki's official machines for the European Endurance Championship while managing Team Godier-Genoud. They also opened a Kawasaki dealership. Their reputation was built on the outstanding preparation of high-performance Kawasaki-based motorcycles, to the point where Godier-Genoud was officially recognised as a motorcycle manufacturer. Today, the bikes they produced during the 1980s are highly sought after by collectors.

Following the tragic death of Georges Godier, the famous dealership eventually closed its doors. Alain Genoud later founded Godier-Genoud Recherche & Développement, focusing on the restoration of Godier-Genoud motorcycles as well as Kawasaki models from the 1970s and 1980s.

In the meantime, Genoud also returned to competition in historic motorcycle racing. Still every bit as talented in the saddle as he is in the workshop, he has continued to add victories to his impressive record.

On Saturday, August 15 and Sunday, August 16, Alain Genoud will not only take part in the Bikers’Classics autograph sessions, but will also get back on track to tackle the legendary corners of "the most beautiful circuit in the world". He will ride the motorcycle that won the 1975 European Championship: the famous prototype developed by Team Godier-Genoud in collaboration with mechanical engineer Pierre Doncques. Alain will complete several demonstration sessions aboard this machine, renowned for the unmistakable sound of the era's inline four-cylinder racing engines. He will also be seen riding a 1976 Godier-Genoud Z1000 Racer, a spectacular-looking machine inspired by the legendary American Superbike races.

Not to be missed!