Sega-designed 'Dark Rider' Shadow the Hedgehog bike sells for charity
A one-of-a-kind, Sega-designed Shadow the Hedgehog-themed motorbike—dubbed the "Dark Rider - Year of the Shadow"—sold for £210,000 at Bonhams' Autumn Stafford sale on October 11, 2026.
The bespoke showpiece had been donated by Sega to former MotoGP-turned-World Endurance Championship rider Sylvain Guintoli to support the Luca Guintoli Foundation and partner charity PASIC (Parents' Association for Seriously Ill Children).
Background and charity context
Sylvain Guintoli, known for a successful international racing career and recent charity work, used the Dark Rider and other high-profile activities to raise funds after the loss of his son, Luca.
The Luca Guintoli Foundation was established by Sylvain and his wife Caroline to support families facing paediatric illness and to fund research into childhood cancers.
This year Guintoli ran the 2026 London Marathon wearing full motorcycle leathers branded with Sonic imagery; he completed the race in just under four hours and raised £164,500 (approximately $219,200) for PASIC.
Auction details and provenance
Bonhams, which stages an annual Autumn Stafford motorcycle sale that attracts collectors of rare and vintage machines, had estimated the Dark Rider at between £10,000 and £15,000.
When bidding closed on October 11, the auction house recorded a hammer price of £210,000—far exceeding the pre-sale estimate.
The buyer's identity has not been publicly disclosed.
Auction proceeds will be directed to the Luca Guintoli Foundation to support affected children and their families.
Design, usage, and significance
The Dark Rider is a custom 2000 Bourget build created as a showpiece rather than a road-ready motorcycle and was previously used to promote the 2024 film Sonic the Hedgehog 3, which marked Shadow's live-action debut.
Sega's donation of the bike amplified fundraising tied to Guintoli's marathon and other outreach, illustrating how game franchises and physical collectibles can drive charitable giving.
The Sonic franchise remains a major multi-platform property, with titles and legacy content appearing on a variety of systems including Nintendo Switch and promoted through industry events and storefronts such as Nintendo Direct and the eShop.
Coverage and acknowledgements
Motorcycle and motorsport outlets provided detailed coverage of the auction and Guintoli's fundraising activities; RideApart and WorldSBK were among the sources reporting specifics of the Dark Rider's provenance and the marathon announcement.
Donations to the Luca Guintoli Foundation are being accepted through the foundation's official channels, with funds earmarked for family support and paediatric illness research.
A one-of-a-kind, Sega-designed Shadow the Hedgehog-themed motorbike—dubbed the "Dark Rider - Year of the Shadow"—sold for £210,000 at Bonhams' Autumn Stafford sale on October 11, 2026.
The bespoke showpiece had been donated by Sega to former MotoGP-turned-World Endurance Championship rider Sylvain Guintoli to support the Luca Guintoli Foundation and partner charity PASIC (Parents' Association for Seriously Ill Children).
Background and charity context
Sylvain Guintoli, known for a successful international racing career and recent charity work, used the Dark Rider and other high-profile activities to raise funds after the loss of his son, Luca.
The Luca Guintoli Foundation was established by Sylvain and his wife Caroline to support families facing paediatric illness and to fund research into childhood cancers.
This year Guintoli ran the 2026 London Marathon wearing full motorcycle leathers branded with Sonic imagery; he completed the race in just under four hours and raised £164,500 (approximately $219,200) for PASIC.
Auction details and provenance
Bonhams, which stages an annual Autumn Stafford motorcycle sale that attracts collectors of rare and vintage machines, had estimated the Dark Rider at between £10,000 and £15,000.
When bidding closed on October 11, the auction house recorded a hammer price of £210,000—far exceeding the pre-sale estimate.
The buyer's identity has not been publicly disclosed.
Auction proceeds will be directed to the Luca Guintoli Foundation to support affected children and their families.
Design, usage, and significance
The Dark Rider is a custom 2000 Bourget build created as a showpiece rather than a road-ready motorcycle and was previously used to promote the 2024 film Sonic the Hedgehog 3, which marked Shadow's live-action debut.
Sega's donation of the bike amplified fundraising tied to Guintoli's marathon and other outreach, illustrating how game franchises and physical collectibles can drive charitable giving.
The Sonic franchise remains a major multi-platform property, with titles and legacy content appearing on a variety of systems including Nintendo Switch and promoted through industry events and storefronts such as Nintendo Direct and the eShop.
Coverage and acknowledgements
Motorcycle and motorsport outlets provided detailed coverage of the auction and Guintoli's fundraising activities; RideApart and WorldSBK were among the sources reporting specifics of the Dark Rider's provenance and the marathon announcement.
Donations to the Luca Guintoli Foundation are being accepted through the foundation's official channels, with funds earmarked for family support and paediatric illness research.
