“Modern hypermotards feel tame in comparison…”
In 1976, two childhood friends — Claudio Flenghi (“Mr. Engine”) and Francesco Battistelli (“Mr. Frame”) — decided to combine their talents to produce an off-road motorcycle that could compete at the world level. They chose the name TM Racing after their first initials of their respective sons, and an Italian legend was born. To this day, TM Racing machines are designed, developed, and hand-built in-house, with only about 1300 bikes produced each year.
Jean-Emmanuel de Witt runs Racelab1, a race car workshop located next to France’s iconic Magny-Cours racetrack. Though racing cars are his bread and butter, he’s been mad about enduro and motocross bikes since he was a boy. At some point, Jean-Emmanuel decided to leverage his workshop and coachbuilding connections to build a bespoke high-performance two-wheeler.
“The Racelab1 Supermoto was built in the spirit of early 20th-century Bugatti race cars: a competition engine and chassis entrusted to a master coachbuilder to craft an ultra-light, hand-formed aluminum body.”
His chosen donor? A 2020 TM Racing 530 SMR — a very rare, very high-performance street-legal supermoto with 60 rear wheel horsepower and a weight of just 222 pounds.
“At just over 100kg, with no electronic aids, raw vibrations, and plenty of noise, this bike delivers one of the purest analog riding experiences you can get.”
Jean-Emmanuel entrusted the hand-formed aluminum bodywork to a master coachbuilder / metal shaper known for his work on the likes of Bugatti, Ferrari, and Delahaye automobiles and pre-war race cars.
“This was his first motorcycle project — and he treated it with the same level of craftsmanship as a concours-winning classic car.”
The scrambler-inspired bodywork was matched with upgraded Brembo brakes, bespoke wheels, and a reworked exhaust. The result is a machine that weighs just 216 pounds dry, puts out 60 horsepower at the rear wheel, and looks like little else on two wheels.
Given those specs, you can imagine the riding experience is simply sublime on tight, winding roads.
“Pure, unfiltered excitement. It’s a race bike on the road — no traction control, no ABS, just raw mechanical feedback… Modern hypermotards feel tame in comparison.”
Even better, Jean-Emmanuel’s 10-year-old son participated in the build from start to finish.
“His observations helped me refine every detail of the design — he was my first critic and best advisor. He also played a key role in selecting the color scheme, which brings together vibrance, vintage flair, and timeless elegance.”
Given that TM Racing’s founders named their company after their own young sons, it’s doubly fitting that father and son worked so closely on this incredible retromod supermoto. Below is our full interview with “JE,” along with more photos and videos of this one-of-a-kind motard.
Racelab1 Supermoto: Builder Interview
• Please tell us a bit about yourself, your history with motorcycles, and your workshop.
My passion for motorcycles started early — at just 11 years old, I was already chasing the adrenaline rush that only enduro and motocross bikes could offer. Their raw power, agility, and pure analog thrill left a lasting impression. Later on, when I moved to road bikes, I found they often lacked that same blend of responsiveness and visceral excitement.
About ten years ago, I took over a racing car workshop located right next to the iconic Magny-Cours racetrack. I immediately renamed it Racelab1, because to me, a motorsport workshop should be more than just a garage — it should be a laboratory, constantly evolving in the pursuit of performance and passion.
My love for vintage racing, particularly prototype cars, runs deep. It’s matched only by my drive for innovation and perfection — two qualities that shape everything we do at Racelab1.
• What’s the make, model, and year of the donor bike?
I was looking for something different — an unusual, hand-built machine with razor-sharp handling in a featherweight chassis. It had to be fast on tight, twisty country roads and agile enough for slicing through urban traffic. The donor that ticked all the boxes was a brand-new 2020 TM Racing 530 SMR — a street-legal supermoto built for racing.
I’ve always appreciated how TM Racing builds their bikes: by hand, with attention to detail rarely seen today. The welds are superb, and the CNC-machined aluminum components speak to the kind of craftsmanship you usually find in high-end performance vehicles. At just over 100kg, with no electronic aids, raw vibrations, and plenty of noise, this bike delivers one of the purest analog riding experiences you can get.
• Why was this bike built?
I’ve always admired the spirit behind early Bugatti race cars — machines made for enthusiasts who appreciated both performance and elegance. Back then, you could buy a lightweight, race-ready chassis with a powerful engine, then take it to your coachbuilder of choice to craft a custom body. And once it was done? You’d drive it from your home straight to a hill climb.
That philosophy inspired this build: a bespoke, high-performance machine that connects rider and road in the most visceral way.
• What was the design concept and what influenced the build?
The concept was to create something pure and vintage-looking, yet unmistakably performance-driven. The design pays homage to classic scramblers and enduro bikes, but with bespoke touches rarely seen on customs — echoing the coachbuilt spirit of Bugatti’s golden age.
After stripping the bike down to its bones, I hand-sketched a design that would follow the chassis lines while honoring the balance and detail of classic racing machines. The result blends retro charm with modern elements. For example, I carefully positioned the indicators to be nearly invisible when off, preserving the silhouette while ensuring full functionality. The round headlamp is a nod to 1960s and ’70s enduro bikes — but under the vintage look is modern performance.
• What custom work was done to the bike?
The bodywork was entrusted to a world-renowned metal shaper best known for his work on Bugattis, Ferraris, and Delahayes from the 1920s to the 1960s. This was his first motorcycle project — and he treated it with the same level of craftsmanship as a concours-winning classic car.
The side panels were shaped to hug the frame and components, keeping the bike’s lines slender while evoking the feel of bespoke coachwork. Braking was upgraded with high-performance Brembo components for improved feel, bite, and resistance under hard use.
The original Excel front wheel was swapped for a larger one to better suit the bike’s proportions, and the exhaust exit was reworked with a subtle retro touch.
Mechanically, the rest of the bike was intentionally left untouched. TM Racing’s platform is already a high-performance machine — reliable, road-legal, and attention-grabbing enough to keep even the local police curious.
• Does the bike have a nickname?
Yes — Racelab1 Supermoto.
• Any idea of horsepower, weight, and performance numbers?
The dry weight is just 98 kg, and around 108 kg fully fueled. It puts out about 60 horsepower at the wheel, with high torque and a close-ratio gearbox. The result is instant throttle response — modern hypermotards feel tame in comparison.
• Can you tell us what it’s like to ride this bike?
Riding the Racelab1 Supermoto is pure, unfiltered excitement. It’s a race bike on the road — no traction control, no ABS, just raw mechanical feedback. The close-ratio gearbox and quick throttle response deliver blistering acceleration and wheelies on command. Combined with its light weight and sticky tires, the handling inspires incredible confidence. It’s a machine for grown-up riders who still want to play.
• Was there anything done during this build that you are particularly proud of?
Absolutely. When the build was complete, I realized it had exceeded even my highest expectations. For me, it represents the ideal bespoke machine for tight, winding roads — quick, responsive, and immensely satisfying to ride.
What surprised me most, though, was the reaction it gets. Everyone — from kids to elderly passersby — stops to admire it. I’ve never owned or built anything that sparked so much curiosity and admiration.
• Is there anyone you’d like to thank?
Yes, first and foremost my 10-year-old son. His observations helped me refine every detail of the design — he was my first critic and best advisor. He also played a key role in selecting the color scheme, which brings together vibrance, vintage flair, and timeless elegance.
I’d also like to thank Arthur and Vincent, the coachbuilders. Not only did they rise to the challenge of crafting a prototype body, but they did so with incredible skill and professionalism — hammering out every curve from raw aluminum with artistry and precision.
Follow the Builder
I can be reached by email at [email protected] or via WhatsApp at +33 6 43 67 43 86. Would be happy to produce similar bikes for enthusiast customers.
