A Festival Unlike Anything Else

"The festival grounds in Biarritz are an experience in themselves," says Gille. "Live music, food trucks, custom builds from major motorcycle brands, a skate ramp, a wall of death and even surf competitions, it's a total immersion. What makes it so special is the way different cultures and styles come together. It's not just a motorcycle event; it's where art, fashion and music collide. My wife loves it, and families with kids enjoy it just as much as the hardcore bikers do."

Beyond the festival grounds, the races are spread across multiple days and locations. "There's always something different happening, always a reason to ride somewhere new and that's what makes it so addictive."

Punk's Peak – Hillclimb

Wheels & Waves kicks off with the legendary hillclimb on Mount Jaizkibel, just across the border in Spain. It's a knockout drag race on a gently winding mountain road, with riders grouped by the build year and power output of their machine.

"The scenery is breathtaking," says Gille. "You're riding mountain curves with the Atlantic Ocean stretching out below you, while cows graze peacefully in the fields alongside the track. It's a perfect way to start the day, even if you're just watching."

This year, the race came to an abrupt halt. "A Harley-Davidson lost control and went into the crowd, injuring several spectators. The race was stopped immediately. That's the reality of street racing. Even on closed roads, the risk is never zero. Winning is beside the point at an event like this, but this time there were only losers."

TROTL (The Race Of The Lords) – Tankshifter Sprint

This sprint race, a there-and-back format with a hairpin turn, is exclusively for pre-1950s motorcycles fitted with tank shifters. "My oldest bike, a 1958 Triumph Thunderbird, is just a little too modern to qualify," laughs Gille. "But it's still a spectacle. The race takes place at the same venue as the vintage rally, so you can catch two great events in a single day."

The relaxed, loosely organised atmosphere is quintessentially Wheels & Waves. "The festival has grown enormously and gone fully international, but it still feels like it's being put together by a bunch of friends. The chaos is part of the charm. It's not about winning, it's about the experience."