Podcast Episode with Torsten Robbens
Youngest team manager to win 24 Hours of Le Mans and a fine Belgian.
Oudenaarde is a Belgian municipality in the Flemish province of East Flanders. For centuries it was known for its tapestry production, and in modern times the Tour of Flanders bicycle road race ends there after several laps up the mighty Koppenberg climb. The youngest team manager to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans – Torsten Robbens – also lives there, and is our second European podcast guest.
Robbens has been riding motorcycles with his twin brother Bjorn since they were 4 years old, planting a mechanical seed of curiosity in them both. After 10 years in F1 and Le Mans endurance racing, Torsten acquired the storied Saroléa motorcycle brand, and with Bjorn developed a modern electric bike to race at the Isle of Man TT.
“I’m the CTO of Saroléa, and I have a background in Formula 1 and at Le Mans,” Torsten said in a 2018 interview. “I also have a background in building composite optical instruments for space applications and satellites. In 2010, I acquired the brand rights to Saroléa, a Belgian company that started building motorcycles in 1901 and was one of the world’s five first motorcycle brands. The brand was recognized for its reliability and remarkable manufacturing.
“However, the factory was shut down due to World War II, and then came the massive arrival of Japanese motorcycles on the European market,” he explained. “Saroléa did continue to supply motorbike parts until the early ‘70s.”
Bjorn is the CEO of Saroléa, and has a background in information technology.
“I worked for a number of companies and finally founded my own in 2010, specialized in CRM software,” he added. “In 2012, I had the opportunity to sell my company to an international group and join Torsten at Saroléa. I also have a background in Formula 1, but my focus at Saroléa is to make a successful business out of the brand.”
In our podcast episode, Torsten regales us with his career arc, from riding a 50cc moped to England for a lowly apprenticeship to working with Hollywood A-listers on motorcycle stunt bikes, with his impressive Le Mans accomplishments in between. We were jazzed to talk to a fellow Belgian!
Having such a deep well of motorcycle friends all around the world is a true blessing, and hearing Torsten share his story was a highlight among a highlighted year so far. You’re gonna dig this one…
NOTE: Our podcast is available on YouTube, Spotify, Amazon, Apple, Stitcher and RSS.
Listen, enjoy, and share with friends. As always, thanks for your support!
Great to see you're doing so well mate. I'll have a listen to the podcast. Your old friend Brian pepper