Welcome to the exciting world of Belgian motorcycle racing! Since the early 1900s, the sport of motorcycle racing has been a popular pastime in Belgium, with a variety of tracks and events spread across the country.
The Belgian riders have consistently been some of the best in the world, with multiple world champions, numerous Grand Prix and World Superbike podiums, and a record-breaking number of European Championship titles.
We will explore some of the best Belgian motorcycle racers of all time and the incredible achievements they have accomplished.
From the early pioneers of the sport to the current crop of stars, we will shine a light on the shining stars of Belgian motorcycle racing.
1. Jacky Ickx
Jacques Bernard Edmon Martin Henry “Jacky” Ickx is a Belgian former racing driver who made a significant contribution to the world of motorsports. He had an impressive career in both Formula One and endurance racing.
Ickx began his Formula One career in 1966, and during his eleven-year tenure, he achieved eight victories and 25 podium finishes. His most notable achievement in the world of Formula One came in 1968 when he won the Monaco Grand Prix and the Belgian Grand Prix.
Ickx is also well known for his endurance racing career. In 1969, he secured his first of six wins in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, which made him the first driver to win the race in both a Ford GT40 and a Porsche 917.
Throughout his career, Ickx also won the 12 Hours of Sebring, the 1000 km Nürburgring, and the Spa-Francorchamps 1000 km race. Jacky Ickx’s racing career spanned three decades and he was highly successful in both types of motorsports.
He is remembered as one of the greatest drivers in history, and he was inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 2000. His achievements are an inspiration for anyone who wishes to pursue a career in motorsports.
2. Xavier Siméon
Xavier Siméon is an accomplished Belgian Grand Prix motorcycle racer, currently competing in the MotoE World Cup.
He is a highly successful rider, as evidenced by his many accomplishments, including winning the 2009 FIM Superstock 1000 Championship and the 2006 European Superstock 600 Championship. Siméon’s career began in 2005 when he competed in the Superstock 600 Championship, where he placed fourth overall.
He continued to ride in the Superstock 600 championship for the following two years and won the championship in 2006.
This was followed by his victory in the 2009 FIM Superstock 1000 Championship, where he was crowned the champion. In 2011, Siméon made the jump to Grand Prix racing, competing in the Moto2 World Championship.
He had a successful rookie season, finishing the championship in 14th place.
He continued to compete in the Moto2 championship for the following five years, with his best finish coming in 2013, when he finished in seventh place. In 2017, Siméon made the switch to the MotoE World Cup, where he has been competing ever since.
He has had a successful run in the championship, with his best finish coming in 2018, when he finished in fifth place. Siméon has had a long and successful career in motorcycle racing.
His accomplishments include two championships and numerous top 10 finishes in the Moto2 World Championship and MotoE World Cup. He continues to compete in the MotoE World Cup and is one of the leading riders in the series.
3. Pol Demeuter
Leopold “Pol” Demeuter was a legendary Belgian motorcycle racer who is still remembered today for his incredible achievements in the sport. Born in Ghent, Belgium in 1924, Demeuter was first introduced to motorcycles at an early age.
He was mesmerized by the sound of the engine, the feel of the wind in his face, and the thrill of speed. Demeuter’s passion for motorcycle racing quickly grew and he began competing in local races in the 1940s. Demeter had a successful career as a motorcycle racer.
He won multiple local and international championships throughout the 1950s and 1960s. He was known for his impressive racing skills and his ability to remain calm and composed in the heat of competition.
He was also an innovator in the sport, introducing new techniques and strategies that had never been seen before. Demeuter’s career ended in 1964 due to a crash during a race in France. He suffered serious injuries and was forced to retire from racing.
Despite this, his legacy lives on. He is remembered as one of the greatest motorcycle racers of all time and his name is still associated with the sport.
4. Yvan Goor
Yvan Goor, sometimes written as Ivan Goor, was an accomplished Belgian cyclist and motorcyclist. He was well known for his success in both cycling and motorcycling. He was a professional cyclist for a number of years, competing in the Tour de France and other races.
He also competed in the Belgian National Championships, winning the title in 1935. He was also a successful motorcyclist. He won the Grand Prix of Belgium in 1930 and 1931, and he won the Belgian Grand Prix of Nations in 1934.
In addition to his racing career, he also served as an ambassador for Belgium in the cycling and motorcycling world. He was a popular figure in the cycling and motorcycling community, and his legacy lives on today.
5. Roger Laurent
Roger Laurent was an accomplished racing driver and motorcycle racer from Belgium. He was born in the city of Liège and passed away in Uccle. Laurent was one of the most successful motorcyclists in the Grand Prix motorcycle racing scene, competing in the 1949 season.
He rode a Moto Guzzi, a highly popular motorcycle at the time, and entered the Belgian Grand Prix. Laurent’s success in the Belgian Grand Prix made him one of the most successful Belgian motorcyclists of the era.
He was known for his speed and agility on the track, and his skills were well respected. He was also an innovator, introducing new techniques to the sport that would eventually become commonplace.
He was a true pioneer in the world of motorcycling and racing, and his legacy lives on.
6. Julien Vanzeebroeck
Julien Vanzeebroeck is a former professional Grand Prix motorcycle road racer from Belgium. He began his career in 1974, competing in the 50cc class of the Grand Prix circuit.
During this time, he experienced great success, finishing in third place in the 50cc world championship both in 1974 and 1975. This success earned him much respect and admiration within the motorcycle racing community and established him as an accomplished racer.
Throughout his career, Vanzeebroeck was known for his skill and determination. He was able to stay competitive in the top ranks of the sport despite constantly changing rules and regulations.
His commitment and dedication to the sport were obvious, and his impressive results are a testament to his talent and hard work. After his retirement in the late 1970s, Vanzeebroeck continued to be involved in the motorcycle racing community.
He was often seen at race tracks, offering advice and sharing his knowledge with the younger riders. He also worked as a coach and mentor to help aspiring racers reach their goals. Julien Vanzeebroeck is an important figure in the world of motorcycle racing.
His impressive accomplishments in the Grand Prix class, as well as his continued involvement in the sport, make him an inspiring figure. He is a true example of what can be achieved when you have passion, dedication, and skill.
7. Loris Cresson
Loris Cresson is a Belgian professional motorcycle racer. He has a long and successful racing career, beginning in 2015 when he took part in the Moto3 World Championship race as a substitute for the injured Ana Carrasco.
From 2016 to 2020, Cresson participated in the Supersport World Championship, where he achieved great success. In 2020 and 2021, he continued to race in the Superbike World Championship, where he has also done well.
Cresson is an experienced racer with an impressive record of success, and he will no doubt continue to achieve great things in the future.
8. Stéphane Mertens
Stéphane Mertens is a Belgian former professional motorcycle road racer who made his Grand Prix debut in 1984. He competed in the 250cc class, and in the same year, he won the 250cc Belgian Road Racing National Championship.
This success was followed by three more years of racing in the 250cc Grands Prix, from 1985 to 1987. Throughout his career, Mertens demonstrated a great aptitude for the sport, and he can be proud of his achievements in the field of motorcycle road racing.
9. Gaston Rahier
Gaston Rahier was a successful Belgian professional motocross racer. He had a long career, competing in Motocross World Championships from 1967 to 1979. During this time, Rahier was a member of the Suzuki factory racing team, where he achieved tremendous success.
He notably won three consecutive FIM 125cc Motocross World Championships, making him a legend in the sport and a strong contender in the motocross racing circuit. His notable achievements earned him a great deal of respect from motocross fans and racers alike.
Rahier’s impressive accomplishments put him in a league of his own, and he will be remembered as one of the greats of the sport.
10. Didier de Radiguès
Didier de Radiguès is a well-rounded individual who has achieved success in both professional sports and art. He is a former professional motorcycle racer and auto racing driver from Belgium.
His professional sports career has led him to become a television sports color commentator for Belgium television. He also works as a Moto GP riders manager and owns a motorcycle riding school. Didier is a passionate and talented sportsman.
As a motorcycle racer, he was part of the Grand Prix motorcycle racing circuit from 1988 to 1993. During this time, he also raced in the Belgian and Dutch Superbike Championships.
As an auto racing driver, Didier competed in the Belgian Touring Car Championship from 1995 to 1997. In more recent years, Didier has established himself as an artist. His art combines classic and modern techniques to create abstract works of art.
He has exhibited his art in various galleries around the world. Didier has also worked as a television sports color commentator, providing insightful commentary and analysis on Belgian television. In addition, he also manages Moto GP riders and owns a motorcycle riding school.
His riding school is a great resource for those interested in the sport and wanting to improve their skills. Didier de Radiguès has achieved success and recognition in multiple fields.
His lifelong career as a professional sportsman and his current work as an artist and television commentator have earned him respect and admiration. Furthermore, his motorcycle riding school is a great resource for anyone wanting to learn and improve their skills.
11. Livio Loi
Livio Loi is a highly successful Belgian Grand Prix motorcycle racer. He first made his debut in 2013 in the Moto3 World Championship, representing the Marc VDS Racing Team. He then raced for the team in the first half of the 2014 season, before he was replaced by Jorge Navarro.
The following year, in 2015, Loi rejoined the Moto3 World Championship with the RW Racing GP team. Throughout his career, Loi has achieved various successes, including qualifying fastest in the practice sessions of the Grand Prix of the Americas in 2014.
Despite some setbacks, his consistent and determined attitude has helped him become one of the top racers in the sport.
12. Dakota Mamola
Dakota Mamola is a talented Belgian motorcycle racer who is a part of the MotoAmerica Superstock 600 Championship. He competes on a Yamaha YZF-R6. His parents are a unique combination of American and Belgian, with his father being the former motorcycle racer Randy Mamola.
Dakota has experience competing in both Spain and Belgium using his respective racing licenses. He has shown great potential in the MotoAmerica Superstock 600 Championship by competing on the Yamaha YZF-R6.
His family’s racing background and his dual nationality have provided Dakota with an opportunity to pursue his passion for motorcycle racing in two different countries. He is an impressive example of the power of combining American and Belgian cultures in sport.
13. Jago Geerts
Jago Geerts is a talented professional motocross rider from Belgium. He started his career in 2017 when he joined the Motocross World Championships.
His passion for the sport has driven him to compete in multiple championships since then, and he has become one of the top riders in the world. He has competed in several European and international competitions and has become one of the most popular motocross riders in Belgium.
He is known for his impressive riding skills, and his ability to perform under pressure. He is also known for his determination and dedication, which have allowed him to reach the top of the motocross world.
Jago is an inspiring figure for many aspiring riders, and his achievements have earned him the respect of his peers and fans worldwide.
14. Liam Everts
Liam Everts is a highly accomplished Belgian Motocross racer. He has been competing in the Motocross World Championship since 2021 in the MX2 class.
His success in the sport is no surprise given his impressive lineage – he is the son of ten-time World Champion Stefan Everts and the grandson of four-time World Champion Harry Everts.
Not only has Liam inherited the racing skills of his predecessors, but he has also inherited their passion and dedication for the sport. This has no doubt been a motivating factor in his success, and he has become one of the most promising and talented racers in the sport.
15. Charles de Tornaco
Baron Charles Victor Raymond André Evance de Tornaco was a racing driver from Belgium who had a distinguished career in motorsport. He competed in four Formula One World Championship Grands Prix, beginning on June 22, 1952.
Unfortunately, he was never able to score any points in the Championship. He was born into a wealthy and influential family and became interested in racing from a young age.
He began competing in regional races in Belgium and soon established himself as one of the most promising young drivers in the country.
His talent and ambition led him to the highest level of motorsport, Formula One. He made his Grand Prix debut in the 1952 Belgian Grand Prix but was unable to make an impression on the race.
He went on to compete in the French, German and Italian Grands Prix, but again he was unable to score any points.
His best result was a tenth place finish in the 1952 German Grand Prix. Despite his lack of success in Formula One, Baron Charles Victor Raymond André Evance de Tornaco continued to compete in regional and national races in Belgium and was able to achieve some success.
He retired from racing in 1962 and died in 1992. He will be remembered as a talented racing driver who was never able to fulfill his potential in Formula One.
16. Georges Berger
Georges Berger was a professional racing driver who had competed in two World Championship Formula One Grands Prix. He first started racing in the 1950s with a Formula Two BMW-engined Jicey car.
His first success with the car came at the Grand Prix des Frontières at Chimay, where he finished in third place.
He also raced a Gordini in the two World Championship Formula One Grands Prix, though it is unknown how he fared in those races. Berger was a talented and successful driver, and he soon became a fan favorite in the racing world.
He was known for his aggressive driving style and his willingness to take risks. His boldness on the track was often rewarded with great results.
His impressive performance in the Grand Prix des Frontières at Chimay was evidence of his skill and determination. Though Berger never achieved the success he wanted in Formula One, he continued to race in other categories throughout the 1950s and 60s.
He raced in Formula 2, Formula Junior, and even Sports Cars. He also raced in endurance events such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Berger’s legacy lives on in the racing world today. He is remembered for his achievements and his daring driving style.
He was a pioneer in the sport, and his accomplishments are still celebrated and respected. He will always be remembered as a talented and brave driver who pushed the boundaries of racing.
17. Lucien Bianchi
Lucien Bianchi was a professional racing driver who was born in Italy but raced for the Belgian racing team. He was originally born as Luciano Bianchi, but changed his name later on in his life.
He was an incredibly talented driver in Formula One and entered a total of nineteen races. During these races, he was able to score a total of six points, and his best finish was a third place in the 1968 Monaco Grand Prix.
He raced for teams such as Cooper, ENB, UDT Laystall and Scuderia Centro Sud, and was known for his impressive driving skills. He was always a favorite of the crowds and was a fan favorite for his fierce racing style.
He was an incredibly talented driver and was admired by racing fans everywhere.
Conclusion
Belgium is home to some of the world’s best motorcycle racers, such as Kenny Roberts Jr., Didier de Radiguès, and Steve Ramon. These riders have achieved success both domestically and internationally, and have helped to make Belgium a hub for motorcycle racing.
With the country’s proud racing history and its continued commitment to producing top-notch riders, there is no doubt that Belgium will continue to produce some of the best racers in the world for many years to come.
