ADVERTORIAL
DARK RIDER- YEAR OF SHADOW
Official Programme
“
Bonhams is honoured to be offering this unique custom motorcycle which is being sold by the Luca Guintoli Foundation, created by Sylvain and Caroline Guintoli in honour of their son Luca, who tragically lost his battle to cancer last year. To be offered without reserve, the proceeds of this sale will be donated to the Luca Guintoli foundation with the auction taking place on the 10-11 October at the Bonhams Autumn Stafford Sale.
Sold in aid of the Luca Guintoli Foundation ' Dark Rider- Year of Shadow ' 2000 Bourget 1,750cc Custom Registration no. V472 OVX Frame no. 1B9BLY8A5YA393390 Engine no. * W0735 *( see text)
A Bourget ' s Bike Works product, ' Dark Rider ' is a unique one-off created and designed by Sega in conjunction with Oil Sweat & Gears and Atmospherics SFX. In 2023, Sega launched the ' Fast Friends Forever ' programme, which highlighted the special bond that Sonic and friends Tails, Knuckles, and Amy Rose share with their fans. For 2024, the focus shifted to the brooding hedgehog, Shadow, star of the video game Sonic X Shadow
Generations, as well as the highly anticipated movie, Sonic the Hedgehog 3. As part of the celebrations, ' Dark Rider ' was displayed at a variety of action-packed events including the British MotoGP round at Silverstone.
' Dark Rider ' was gifted to the Luca Guintoli Foundation, founded by Sylvain Guintoli, 2014 World Superbike Champion, 2021 Endurance World Champion, and Le Mans 24 Hours winner in 2021 and 2022. He currently co-presents TNT Sports ' MotoGP television coverage alongside Suzi Perry, while continuing to compete in the EWC.
The foundation was set up in honour of Sylvain ' s six-year-old son, Luca, who tragically passed away last year from cancer. Proceeds raised by the sale of this motorcycle will go to the Luca Guintoli Foundation.
It is believed this is the first time a piece of © SEGA memorabilia, coming directly from the company, has been offered for sale at auction. As such, it represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the discerning collector to own a unique piece of Sega history while at the same time helping a most worthy cause.
My Luca was a huge fan of Sonic The Hedgehog. SEGA helped me with featuring Sonic on my leathers for the London Marathon challenge last year, and then offered to do more by donating“ Shadow Dark Rider”, a unique motorcycle custom built for them. Bonhams the prestigious auction house kindly offered to manage the sale for The Luca Guintoli Foundation, a charity funded by myself and my wife Caroline to help children with cancer. It’ s a fantastic project and I want to thank everybody involved.” Sylvain Guintoli
The Dark Rider is a visually striking custom motorcycle inspired by Shadow the Hedgehog from © SEGA’ s iconic Sonic the Hedgehog franchise. Created for the 2024 Fearless: Year of Shadow campaign, it embodies the themes of fearlessness, confidence, and determination that defined © SEGA’ s year-long celebration of Shadow.