What the French are doing right now

If it was raining on your ride into work this morning you may have regretted taking the bike. Not as much as these guys.

This is hill-climbing, one of the craziest motorcycle disciplines and a sport with no technical requirements other than two wheels, a power source and a brain-out rider. The aim is to get to the top of the hill. They all think they’re going to do it. Not many are. 

The bikes are often standard motocross machines with extended swingarms and fat studded or paddled rear tyres.

But most impressive are the engines. Nitrous, turbos, three cylinder two strokes, Supersport engines – everything goes up the hill. And what goes up…