Next year, the Toulouse-based brand will celebrate the 100th anniversary of its emblematic model, the S.S. 100, while Paris will host the Olympic Games just one century after the 1924 edition. In between preparing for his qualifying season (for his fourth Olympics), which this time will be held on home soil, Renaud took the time to discover the multiple talents at work in the Brough Superior factory. He was impressed by the engines assembly, and had a long discussion with Simon Pitelet, before being guided by Thierry Henriette to the new 5-axis CNC machining center where the new engine casings are made.

Although the new Dagger attracted Renaud’s attention, he rode the Lawrence (from which it is derived) to discover the dynamic features of the modern Brough Superior range. A convincing introduction, with a mention for the quality of the suspensions and the road holding of a machine of which he discovered the specific type of fork.

Let’s bet that this test ride will give him wings for next year, as it had been the case exactly 10 years ago. The year after his 24 Heures Motos, Lavillenie made the headlines by taking the pole vault world record held for 20 years by Sergei Bubka.