His name is Torsten Robbens and with his “Belgitude” he has broken two speed records for electric motorcycles under 150 kg, reaching 214.15 km/h without a fairing and 229.50 km/h with a fairing. A Belgian has not done this since 1932.
September 5, 2024
If you are born in Belgium today, you are probably a good biker or at least a good ball player. Yet there was a time when King Philip’s nation was also a strong motorcyclist, but we are all too young to remember it. Those were the years of pioneering motorcycling and some brands were able to establish themselves even outside the national borders. The fame of Gillet Herstal but especially of FN and Saroléa has reached the present day even though the production of Belgian motorcycles ceased in the mid-sixties. However, this does not mean that there cannot be great enthusiasts in Belgium too, so much so that in recent times, especially in relation to electric propulsion, the nation famous for frying chips in lard and for Trappist beers is offering us so many interesting ideas. Let’s think for example of the Saroléa brand, the subject of a recovery with a notable superbike or the promising startup Trevor Motorcycles or even the Brekr scooters.
Torsten Robbens and his Belgitude
One man show
What we are about to tell you, however, is not an industrial story but rather the small great success of a single enthusiast. His name is Torsten Robbens and he is a motorcycle designer from Oudenaarde (we have no idea how to pronounce it). In August, while we were all lazing around under the beach umbrella, good old Torsten showed up at the start of the World Speed Trials in Lausitzring in Germany with a motorcycle he built and called, with a certain patriotic pride, “La Belgitude”. The World Speed Trials is a land speed race, and was organized for the second time in collaboration with the FIM (Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme). So, in short, it is serious stuff, not the clandestine race in ZAI. On this prestigious occasion, Torsten Robbens and his Belgitude broke two world speed records in the category of electric motorcycles under 150 kg. In the “non-aerodynamic” category, he reached an astonishing 214.15 km/h and in the “semi-aerodynamic” category, he reached a remarkable 229.50 km/h. In Belgium, he is already an idol. Ok, not at the level of Remco Evenepoel, but an idol nonetheless. Just think that the last time a Belgian achieved a FIM world speed record was in 1932 and his name was René Milhoux, in Belgium they still remember him.
The singular driving position of La Belgitude
Belgitude is a state of mind
And shouldn’t they rightly remember with national pride the name of a guy who single-handedly builds an electric racing motorcycle and takes home two world records? The Belgitude is 100% handmade. He built it and then rode it. Fast. We can only have great admiration for Torstern Robbens. His aim with this creation is to challenge the belief that electric motorcycles are heavy and lacking in performance: “We must not let Belgium’s rich history in motorcycle engineering fade away,” he pointed out. “I want to continue that level of craftsmanship through La Belgitude, an attitude.” La Belgitude is a state of mind.
In addition to this admirable project, Robbens is a highly skilled technician with a resume that includes Formula 1 and endurance racing. In 2004, he made history as the youngest team manager to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans and has already gained experience with electric racing bikes that have competed in the Tourist Trophy. The success at Lausitzring did not happen by chance.
Two world records, it’s official for Torsten Robben
