Words and photography by Kati Dalek (Kayadaek Photography)
On Friday, the dust rises again at the Race of The Lords (TROTL). It’s not just a race—it’s a celebration of heritage. The day kicks off in Saint-Pée-sur-Nivelle with a spectacular mechanical show, and this year, even more participants at the starting line. Skill, character-filled motorcycles, and plenty of flair!
At the sound of the starting gun, the bikes—exclusively pre-1950 machines—take off two by two, with no set order, no timing, and no ranking. The runs keep coming, nonstop, on the dirt track, back and forth.
Most bikes have hand-shifters and foot clutches—no suicide setups here, but real skill. Triumphs, Enfields, and a host of American iron battled it out.
The TROTL, or The Race of The Lords, is always one of the most joyful spectacles—timeless bikes dueling in the dirt, their engines roaring like old lions, and riders grinning ear to ear despite the heat. It’s not about victory—just the shared passion, skill, and the thrill of keeping a vintage machine alive and moving.
Some bikes died mid-sprint, some stuck in the sand, but every sputter added to the poetry.
My buddy Pier told me:
“You haven’t lived until you’ve seen a nearly century-old carb cough mid-run, or a tired V-twin stall, only to fire back up like a worn heart finding its rhythm again.”
The Race of the Lords: Full Gallery
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Photography: Kati Dalek (@kayadaek_photography | Kayadaek Photography)
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