"Lukey" Luke Follacchio will hang up the helmet on his stunt career this weekend at the Australian WorldSBK round. One of Australia's best stunt riders released a few words for his fans...
Hanging up the helmet! Professional stunt rider “Lukey” Luke Follacchio will be appearing at Phillip Island at the final round of the 2022 Motul WorldSBK Championship from Friday the 18th through to Sunday the 20th November, 2022 for his final show.
Professional stunt rider “Lukey” Luke Follacchio will be appearing at Phillip Island at the final round of the 2022 Motul WorldSBK Championship from Friday the 18th through Sunday the 20th November, 2022 for his final show.
This year’s WorldSBK weekend will have a special meaning for the Melbourne-based rider. Over the years, WorldSBK at The Island has been a regular event for Lukey, but 2022 will mark Luke’s final professional stunt riding appearance ahead of his retirement on Sunday evening.
After a professional stunt career spanning nearly 20-years, the father of two has elected to finish on his own terms. In recent times, his business ventures have taken more of his time and taken away from the vital stunt rider training and practice that staying at the top of the sport demands.
After a professional stunt career spanning nearly 20-years, the father of two has elected to finish on his own terms.
“Lukey” Luke Follacchio: “I feel particularly blessed to be able to end my career this way. While the old body isn’t 100 per cent, I am still able to give my everything at shows and this final weekend is going to go big! It’s been an amazing journey and there are so many people to thank. If young me could see what I’ve been able to do, where I have been able to perform, and the friends and fans I would make along the way – well, like me, he’d be pretty stoked!”
“My family have been there every step of the way from my early days to now and without them I would never have been able to make this strange sport my career. It’s impossible to adequately express my gratitude to all of my sponsors along the way. I’ve always tried to give more than I have received and never taken their generosity and support for granted.”
Luke’s wife Bianca has been a huge support during his career! Even appearing in some of his shows…
“Finally, to my fans and followers – thank you! When I started there was no Facebook, no Instagram and I wrap up my career with some three quarters of a million fans worldwide! While I love having this sort of social following, nothing beats seeing people at events and putting on the best possible show for them. It’s still my greatest thrill. So while it’s a great time to look back, I am determined to have a huge weekend at The Island- one last time!”
“While I love having this sort of social following, nothing beats seeing people at events and putting on the best possible show for them. It’s still my greatest thrill.” said Luke
Hi Five for young Anthony Ware from Lukey Luke at the Australian Motorcycle Festival, 2019. Ant is a major fan of LL!
For all of the retirement talk, this weekend is not the end of Lukey’s involvement in the motorcycle industry. Fans will still be able to follow Lukey and his antics in motorcycle news and media as he takes up a brand ambassador role with Peter Stevens Importers (PSI).
Lukey: “It’s nice to be able to continue to have involvement within the industry via PSI – a company that has always felt like family to me, having worked with them for so many years via my long era with Triumph Motorcycles.”
In recent times, his business ventures have taken more of his time and taken away from the vital stunt rider training and practice that staying at the top of the sport demands.
Nigel Harvey, PSI: “Having known Lukey for the past 15 years and sponsoring him for the past six, it has been amazing to see his stunt riding, business interests and family change over that time.
“While his retirement marks the end of one of the most celebrated motorcycle stunt riders in Australia’s history, it’s also the start of a new chapter for Luke. At PS Importers we are proudly a family business, and Luke is part of that family. His passion, enthusiasm, and skill on two wheels is infectious and seeing him throw a leg over any bike, makes you want to ride. It is for this reason that we continue to partner with Luke, to share the stoke of riding motorcycles with our customers, friends, and families. Grazie mio caro amico.”
Luke will also continue to own and run Benzina Garage, his renowned Motorcycle workshop in Preston, and a new venture, Benzina Stables, a high-end, enthusiast focussed Car and Motorcycle Storage facility. Benzina Stables will formally launch in the coming months.
Here at JPMedia, Jeff, Heather and Team would like to thank Luke for his many contributions to our previous magazine titles Rapid Bikes, Knee Down and Retrobike, over the years. From columns to editing our stunt section, Flipped, and later for contributions to BikeReview. Not only is Luke a supremely talented stunt rider, he is also an excellent road racer and off-road rider, with mechanical skills to back up his riding ability. Luke’s motorcycle knowledge is infinite and his contribution to motorcycling in Australia is immeasurable, so we are so happy he will continue to be a huge part of our beloved industry and wish him a fantastic farewell show at Phillip Island”.
Lukey Luke Gallery
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