I MAY BE THE EDITOR of a motorcycling magazine however I have had a long-term interest in the professional cycling tours; most particularly, the Tour de France.
Watching the motards (see article below) is a natural part of the audience experience and it’s a career choice that anyone with sporting, motorcycling, and media interests could be naturally attracted to.
One of the best known motards is Willy Wauthle (if you enjoy cycling you might like to follow Willy on FB www.facebook.com/willy.wauthle).
Willy’s last race was in 2023 but he continues with his passion for the riding and the career that made him a household name in international racing circles.
It was great to have the opportunity to interview Willy. Thanks also to his daughter Anouk who assisted with translation.
Susan Plunkett
What is your official title in an event such as Tour de France and how long have you been in this role?
The official title is ‘Motard’. I have driven the Tour the France 20 times and received the official Golden Medal for it. I was chosen to be the spokesman of the collective of the Tour the France Motards which meant that I represented the group at the meetings with the director of the Tour de France to defend our rights. This was a process because when I first entered the Tour, the French drivers and the organization would not give a lot of space for newcomers from foreign countries. So, I had to fight for every meter, and I didn’t shy away from a confrontation. That’s what convinced other motor drivers
