MotoGP used to be the motorcycle continental circus and this book describes it

The Motorcycle Grand Prix World Championship was born in 1949. Throughout this journey, there have been stories of immeasurable passion for motorcycles.

It hasn't always been a landscape of abundance. The current large motorhome trucks replaced the old tents where most riders used to stay.

The profits came more from prizes and starting bonuses than from contracts with brands. This nomadic life gave rise to the term "Continental Circus".

Jack Findlay was one of those figures who defined an era during that period. For two decades, between 1958 and 1978, the Australian became a true reference in the World Championship.

He embodied the essence of the Continental Circus when it was pure adventure, risk, and romanticism. Nicknamed the "prince of the privateers," Findlay made history fighting against giants with unattainable budgets.

He did it armed only with his talent, determination, and unbreakable faith in himself. He prepared his own bikes and then rode them to the limit.

This way, he challenged factories with infinitely superior resources. That image sums up what it meant to be a rider back then: passion, sacrifice, and courage.

The life of a motorcycle legend

After hanging up his leathers, Findlay settled in France. He didn't leave the world of motorcycles; on the contrary, he worked as a development rider for Michelin.

Thanks to his command of English, French, and Italian, in 1992 he took on the role of technical director of the FIM in the Motorcycle Grand Prix World Championship. He kept this responsibility until his retirement in 2001.

He passed away in May 2007, leaving behind a life of absolute dedication to competition. He always defied the odds and forged a legacy that still inspires.

Jacques Bussillet is a renowned French journalist, for years a correspondent for Moto Journal and L’Équipe. In 2024, he published an exceptional biography of Findlay in France.

An essential work for competition enthusiasts

Bussillet knew the Australian closely during his active years, and that is reflected in his work. It is an authentic, intimate, and detail-filled account that captures both the highlights and the shadows. All to discover who was, for many, the last great romantic hero of speed.

Now, this essential work arrives in English. It is available in a carefully produced edition of 160 pages and hardcover format.

It contains 240 photographs, letters, and previously unpublished mementos that masterfully illustrate each stage of his life.

It is published by Veloce (ISBN 9781836440475) and is not just a biography. It is a journey to a unique era, narrated with the warmth and precision that only someone like Bussillet could offer.

Findlay was not a world champion, but he was a champion of values, passion, and endurance. His story is that of a man who faced everything and everyone to live his dream. He achieved it.