There’s never really been a ‘proper’ modern French motorcycle maker, which must stick in the craw of the notoriously parochial Tour de France organisers! But needs must, and the massive pedalling festival has now signed a three-year deal with Kawasaki to provide the official motorcycle for the main Tour and a long list of other events: 22 races in all.
Next year will see 45 examples of the new 2025 Versys 1100 used as the nominated Tour machine. Kawasaki is rekindling a relationship with the world’s most famous cycle race stretching back to the mid-1980s, when bikes such as the GTR1000 and 1400GTR featured.
The updated Versys 1100 will fulfil a number of essential roles in terms of organising and controlling the races, including road opening and key event support functions across the Tour de France and other European events, including the iconic Paris-Roubaix, La Flèche Wallonne, Liège-Bastogne-Liège and La Vuelta. Across the agreement’s first year, each machine is expected to cover an average of 20,000km.
Speaking of the new partnership, Kawasaki Motors Europe president Shigemi Tanaka, said the company was delighted at rekindling a historic partnership. “Kawasaki has traditionally been associated with the colour green, and this aligns perfectly with our drive towards carbon neutral, clean, green energy, alternative fuels and cutting-edge innovations. The Tour de France – plus these 21 other incredible events we will be part of – represent a global showcase for human endeavour.”