Every successful motorcycle event relies on seamless logistics, finely tuned machines, and precision teamwork. At the heart of Bridgestone’s motorcycle activities is Eric, the man behind the scenes making sure every bike is ready to roll. As Chief Mechanic, Eric is responsible for transporting, preparing, and maintaining the fleet of motorcycles that Bridgestone uses for press and testing events across Europe. We sat down with him to explore the intricacies of his role, the challenges he faces, and what keeps him passionate about the job.
(Adventure Experience event Portugal 2024)
What does your role as Chief Mechanic entail?
“As Chief Mechanic, I’m responsible for transporting the bikes, tools, and equipment to the event location,” Eric explained. “I prepare the bikes every day before the guests arrive – checking tyre pressures, fueling, making sure everything is set for the first ride. There are a lot of small details, and everything needs to be just right.”
How did you get into this line of work?
“For me, motorcycles run in the family,” he said. “My father, my uncles – everyone was into motorcycles. I grew up doing motocross. It was natural for me to become a mechanic. I studied in a school well-suited for it and eventually worked with brands like BMW and Suzuki in the Netherlands. That’s how I got recommended to Bridgestone and Ant-Productions.”
(T33 event Croatia 2025)
What does preparation for an event look like for you?
“It usually starts about six months before the event,” Eric said. “Around November or December, I begin getting introduced to various distributors and partners. From there, I handle logistics, arranging transport, documenting any damage, and making sure bikes are ready to be returned in good condition.”
(Adventure Experience event Portugal 2024)
How do the motorcycles actually get to these events?
It’s a complex but well-orchestrated process. “We source the bikes from various distributors and manufacturers across Europe – France, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, England, Spain,” he said. “Sometimes we pick them up along the way. Everything converges at a central location, often in the Netherlands, and then the truck heads to the event.”
Efficiency is key: “We try to plan routes that allow us to collect bikes without unnecessary driving. It’s all about coordination.”
(Adventure Experience event Portugal 2024)
Who decides which bikes are included in an event?
“That’s mostly up to Mike from Bridgestone Europe,” Eric noted. “He knows what’s trending, what journalists are excited to try. What makes these Bridgestone events stand out is that guests can test a wide variety of motorcycles, all equipped with the same tyres. That way, they can compare bikes back-to-back as well.”
(T33 event Croatia 2025)
What’s a typical event day like for you?
“Busy!” he laughed. “It starts early – sometimes even before breakfast. I check tyre pressures, fuel, and make sure all the bikes are ready before the first group arrives. Then we follow the riders with a van, staying close in case someone needs assistance or a bike swap. We always carry a spare.”
(Adventure Experience event Portugal 2024)
How do you ensure the tyre performance remains consistent throughout the event?
Eric emphasized the importance of adhering to factory specifications. “We work closely with the team to maintain consistent tyre pressure and temperature settings, as tested in Japan. We sometimes even send silicone molds of the asphalt surface back to Japan so they can analyze the riding environment.”
He added: “If a bike feels off, it might not be the tyre – it could be the suspension. That’s why we work hard to make sure every aspect of the bike is dialed in correctly. A secure ride helps the tyre shine.”
(Adventure Experience event Portugal 2024)
What’s the biggest challenge in your role?
“Getting everything ready in time and making sure nothing compromises the event,” Eric said. “These are high-end events with a lot of moving parts – bikes, gear, people. Safety is always our top priority. Crashes are something we try to avoid at all costs.”
(Adventure Experience event Portugal 2024)
What do you find most rewarding about your job?
“Seeing the event content afterwards – the articles, social media posts, videos,” he shared. “It’s great to know I played a part in making it happen. The production team captures it beautifully, and I think, ‘Yeah, I was there. I helped make that work.’”
(T33 event Croatia 2025)
What makes working with Bridgestone special for you?
“It’s a small, tight-knit team – very approachable, no hierarchy walls,” Eric said. “Whether it’s Nico, Mike, or Dominique, they’re all easy to talk to and committed to what they do. It’s rare to have such a good dynamic.”
(Adventure Experience event Portugal 2024)
Do you have a most memorable Bridgestone event?
“There are a few,” Eric recalled. “One was a vintage bike shoot here in Croatia during the COVID period. We worked really hard – some nights through until morning – but it was worth it. The footage turned out amazing. Another was a trip from Sicily to Florence for the T32 tyre. Absolutely beautiful.”
(vintage bike shoot in Croatia)
Do you have a favorite Bridgestone tyre?
“Yes, the AX41,” he said without hesitation. “It’s an off-road tyre, and I use it on my own bike. It just suits me.”
Eric may not always be in the spotlight, but without his dedication, precision, and deep knowledge of motorcycles, Bridgestone events wouldn’t run nearly as smoothly. From cross-continental logistics to fine-tuning performance settings, he plays a key role in delivering memorable riding experiences – one bike at a time.
