Spring 1910, on a small backcountry road. A backfire disturbs the serenity of the place, arousing surprise and curiosity. A happy group of young people from Cannes are riding machines that were not very common until now: motorcycles. The motorcycle club was in the making, but the Great War quickly stopped its development. As soon as peace returned, a group was reconstituted under the leadership of a few enthusiasts, including Pierre Nouveau, future mayor of Cannes.
Official statutes were filed in 1923. They read, among other things, that “ladies are admitted to be part of society. They benefit from all the advantages granted to members”.
Which was not obvious at the time.
Motorcycles of all kinds
From 1933 a motoball activity developed. Cannes presents a feared team, in which we already find a man who will mark the history of motorcycling in the region: Louis Dotto. The latter, alongside his career as a pilot, became president in 1946. Charly Ginoux assisted him as general secretary. The meetings are then held at Place de la Gare, at the Taverne Royale.
It was the beginning of a period of extraordinary activity. A speed race was organized in 1947 on the Pantiero and around the town hall. More than 60 events took place during the forty years of Louis Dotto’s presidency: speed circuits (Avenue des Collines in Cannes and Le Cannet, and at Bocca around the Balitrand establishments), hill races (California then Tanneron), rallies. (Cannes-Geneva-Cannes), concentrations, and even an indoor trial at the Bocca wholesale market.
We will also remember the congress of the International Motorcycle Federation in 1970, and the big party organized in 1971 with Giacomo Agostini for the release of the film Continental Circus. At the same time, the club is building an international track record with Patrick Fernandez, winner of the South African Grand Prix, and Hervé Moineau, four-time World Endurance champion.
Historic premises
Totally devoted to the club, Louis Dotto ended up installing it in his former body shop on Impasse Béraud, transformed into a motorcycle home with an office and meeting room. He also established the Regional League there, which he chaired for nearly 30 years. This premises, now owned by the City of Cannes, still hosts the motorcycle club, along with other associations. It is logically named Louis Dotto Motor Sports Hall.
In 1986, at the end of his strength, Louis Dotto passed the torch to Robert Bordeaux, father of Didier, French speed champion. Four years later, Patrick Layet took over. Activity is still intense and in 1993 the club organized its first world event: the indoor trials world cup, at the Palestre in Le Cannet. The success is total: rumors of tickets on the black market, 3,000 unsatisfied requests! The FIM will entrust the organization of the French round of the World Cup to the Cannes motorcycle club for four consecutive years.
The list continues to grow: Hervé Moineau continues his brilliant international career (4 world titles during his 18 years of undergraduate studies in Cannes) and the club obtains the coveted title of champion of France on several occasions (1989, 1992, 1994). Tourism clubs. At the end of 1993, a president, Nicole Tranois, was elected, showing that motorcycling was not just an activity for bad boys.
Five years later, she passed the torch to her predecessor Patrick Layet, relayed in 2003 by Gilles Lambert. Victim of serious health problems, in 2009 he had to let Patrick Layet take over a temporary role for a few months. Jean-Louis Larrieu took over in 2011… and in 2019 handed over the position to Patrick Layet… non-candidate but appointed President for the fourth time. Didier Bergé takes over in 2023.
40 years of champions
For more than 40 years, the Cannes motorcycle club has constantly had world-class riders. Among the most prominent of the 1990s are Frédéric Petit (best private driver in 1997 in 125 cc Grands Prix), Franck Poulle, Arnaud Van den Bossche and Jimmy Petit. After 2000, his record was enriched with four new world champion titles, in Endurance: Sébastien Gimbert in 2004, Matthieu Lagrive in 2005 and 2006, Alan Techer in 2018.
World champion Arnaud Vincent joined the team in 2005. Johann Zarco, double 2015-2016 MotoGP2 world champion, came from the club (5 years, until he was 18). Florian Marino too. And Alan Techer obtained his world title in 2018 at just 23 years old! All three are natives of Cannes.
Tourism activity, always intense, with constant outings for everyone. Once again the French concentration champion in 2012 and vice-champion in 2015, the club is among the most active, without any elitism (social mixing is not an empty word here). And since 2016, a vintage motorcycle section has completed this wide range of activities, open to anyone interested.
A century-old club having obtained several world titles and on average one national title per year for almost 40 years, driven by a strong desire to promote motorcycling and offer a place of welcome and camaraderie so that everyone can practice it.
Speed Circuit 1947… on the Pantiero (town hall bend). Photo DR.
A motorcycle show in the city of Festivals
From March 30 to 31, the 2024 Motorcycle Show will be held in Cannes, at the Pierre-De-Coubertin stadium, designed and organized for the first time by the Cannes Motorcycle Club.
An event which will bring together over two days more than a hundred exhibitors over 7,000 m2 including thirty motorcycle brands and around ten accessories manufacturers. You can also discover the electric village with twenty-one brands represented.
A real experience to live for two-wheel enthusiasts and novice enthusiasts alike. A colorful spectacle with trial shows by Ferrer Racing, concerts provided by Sons of Rock, a Country group which will make the participants dance. Food trucks and bars will provide supplies in true biker style.
More than 100 motorcycles will be available for testing and a used vehicle area will also be offered to visitors. The youngest will also be at the party with spaces dedicated to them. Finally, vintage vehicles will retrace the history of motorcycles.
Prestigious names from motorcycle racing will be present and will be able to meet their fans such as Alan Techer, world endurance champion in 2018 with the FCC TSR HONDA team, the young Antoine Nativi, among others.
