Motorcycles and motorcycle sport evoke an inexpressible feeling of freedom and a kind of flight. Roaring engine, high speeds, no obstacles, only the road and the wind ahead. The whole world annually celebrates World Motorcyclist Day - the third Monday in June. Connoisseurs of motorcycling even have their own website on the Internet. But once upon a time, at the very beginning of the development of motorcycling, everything was different: the technique, speed and attitude to the sport. If you ever placed a bet on some sport event, you have noticed that the platforms of online betting changed drastically as well when casino games online appeared.
The history of motorcycling directly echoes the creation of the first technique and its further development. It is believed that motorcycle technology appeared in 1885: the first progenitor of the motorcycle was a mechanical cart (as it was called at that time). Structurally, it was a wooden base with a built-in gasoline-powered engine. The speed of the cart was no more than 12 km/h. The invention belongs to a German designer, G. Daimler. Daimler. It was this first motorcycle that became the "instigator" of the creation of a completely new sports trend - motorcycling.
The starting point of the development of racing on motorcycle technology in the professional direction was the opening of the International Federation of Motorcycle Sport in the early 20th century (1904). This structure began to monitor the direction of motorcycle racing in general. It all started with ordinary competitions, which eventually developed into local events, which could be attended by spectators. Those who wished to watch the confrontation of high-speed technique was a lot.
There were favorites of the public, who became legends. Among all motorcycle transport began to stand out legendary models, which still cause delight. As a result, famous motorcycle racers and iconic machinery played a crucial role in the development of motorcycle racing.
The early years of motorcycle racing
The first competition format was called "Mechanical Crews", and both motorcycles and cars could take part, as there were no clear boundaries between these vehicles at the time. The first such competition took place in 1894 on the Paris-Rouen highway, a distance of 126 kilometers. Participants traveled at an average speed of 20.5 km/h.
A separate motorcycle competition was held only five years later, in 1899 in the capital of Austria. Cars and motorcycles were finally separated in terms of competition, events began to be held separately for cars, separately for motorcycles. A completely new format of races was started, which has been fixed to this day. Special rules and requirements for motorcycle races began to be adopted.
And the starting point of the first international competition was 1913, the event on motorcycle all-round competition was held in England. The competition was attended by athletes from various points of the globe, there were 162 candidates for victory.
Not everyone knows that the first motorcyclist on the planet Earth was Wilhelm Maybach - he sat behind the wheel of a vehicle developed together with G. Daimler with a wooden structure and gasoline power unit in 1885.
Golden Age of Motorcycle Racing
The golden age of motorcycle racing is considered to be the period of rapid development of this sport since the beginning of the 20th century. In 1907, cross motorcycles competed on gravel tracks, the following year - on the ring track. At the same time, motocross, a cross-country competition, was founded.
As the popularity grew, various innovations in the motorcycling industry began to be introduced.
The first six-day competition started in 1913, where not only motorcycles but also tricycles participated.
Motocross competitions on steep climbs, where powerful machinery with slippery mechanisms took part, became popular among fans of high speeds and spectators.
The event "Motocross of Nations" was organized, etc.
During the Golden Age many riders distinguished themselves, one of the greatest athletes is Michael Hailwood, he was nicknamed "Bike Mike". Another legend of the time is considered by observers to be Giacomo Agostini. The two motorcyclists once competed against each other for the Grand Prix, with Hailwood being the winner.
Also distinguished in the sport of motorcycling:
- Angel Nieto;
- Marc Marquez;
- Vattentino Rossi;
- Carlo Ubbiali;
- John Curtis.
Motorcycles in the Golden Era of motorcycle racing were countless. Let's list the most popular ones: Achilles, Harley Davidson, Laurin Klement, Australian model Edwans, Curtis, Merkel, various FN Four series, Indian Twin, Marquez's motorcycle, etc.
Motorcycle racing in the modern era
There are quite a few world championships being held in modern realities. Consider two motorcycle series:
World Superbike or WSBK is a championship that predominantly involves road bikes that can be purchased in stores.
MotoGP is a championship where riders compete on prototypes, bikes specially built for racing that are not mass marketed for standard use.
The star of the Superbike competition is five-time world champion J. Rey. Since the championship competes on production motorcycles, its fans can easily buy themselves the same "iron horse" as the champion. MotoGP fans don't have a chance to race on MotoGP bikes.
These two motorcycle series are often held in the same states, but the tracks for them are fundamentally different. WSBK is not held on promoted and pathos tracks, and MotoGP, on the contrary, has repeated intersections with Formula 1 on the use of tracks, the pilots of these races usually go on a straight path.
Legendary riders
Giacomo Agostini, competing in championships for 17 years, winning 311 victories.
В. Rossi - nine-time world championship winner with a total of over 100 wins.
HaleWood - multiple motorcycle and road race winner.
Michael Duane - has 54 wins in his 10-year career.
Э. Lawson - has only 4 gold awards, but has never lost at any event.
Legendary motorcycles
In the review of legendary base motorcycles in the century-long history of motorcycling sport are: Harley Davidson XR750, Honda CB750 and CB77, Honda Super Cub, Kawasaki.
Motorcycle racing significantly influenced motorcycling and culture, even motorcycle cultures and subcultures emerged: café racers or rockers. A distinctive motorcycle style emerged.
The popularity of motorcycling is quite understandable - speed, adrenaline attract athletes. And spectators and the public no less enjoy watching what is happening.