For those that don't know, Philippe actually knows a litle bit about motorcycles -- other than the fact that Valentino Rossi rides a Honda and not a Yamaha!
In the 1960's Philippe was a successful motorcycle racer, competing in the French Championship and several rounds of the Grand Prix circuit, the "Continental Circus" as it was called. During this time, he rode for Kreidler Team France, then for Team Derbi-France.
Philippe also won a number of races on motorcycles that he maintained and sometimes constructed himself. It is believed that he was first to use a disk brake on the rear wheel of a motorcycle for road or racing use.
In 1977, following the publication of an article by Philippe in the Yamaha International magazine, titled "Grand Prix Bike of the Future", he was hired by Giancarlo Morbidelli to design and build a revolutionary 250cc GP bike. The bike had completely new architecture, weight distribution and aerodynamics, and after some testing and modifications, Graziano Rossi, father of current world champion Valentino Rossi, finished second in the 1978 World championship.
Philippe also designed an aerodynamic spoiler on the back of a helmet to improve the problem of 'helmet lift' on rider's heads, almost 15 years before they appeared on production helmets.
Philippe became a works rider for the Morbidelli factory team, winning 21 races in 1977 and 1978, ending his motorcycle racing career on a high note.
The question though, Philippe, were the Cox bikes designed to
lean into the corners or not!
With kind regards
Russell
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