From a press release issued by Ducati North America:

PAOLO MATTIOLI RIDES HIS MOTO MORINI 175CC TO VICTORY IN SICILY IN THIS YEAR’S MOTOGIRO D’ITALIA

Ducati Motor is the main sponsor of the event organized by Dream Engine srl and supported by the Presidency and Council of the Region of Sicily and other local sponsors.

Bologna, June 2004: After five gruelling days traversing over 1,250 kilometres of scenic and challenging Sicilian roads, Paolo Mattioli rode to victory on his Moto Morini Tresette 175, winning this year’s Motogiro d’Italia, Italy’s oldest vintage motorbike competition.

Over four hundred motorcyclists from around the world participated in this year’s competition which ran from May 25th -29th. In addition to a core group of Italians, participants arrived from Great Britain, Germany, France, Holland, Belgium, Spain, Switzerland, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Japan. The Motogiro d’Italia is divided into three classifications: the Vintage Racing Class, reserved for motorbikes manufactured through 1957; the Memorial Taglioni, dedicated to motorbikes manufactured between 1968 and 1978 and the Touring Class, open to all contemporary bikes of all makes. The first two categories are competitive and riders are subject to ability and timed trials, while the Touring Class is non-competitive.

The Italian contingency proved its motorcycling skills, taking the top three posts in the Vintage Racing and Taglioni Memorial classifications. Paolo Mattioli, 55, performed brilliantly on each day’s course and in the ability trials, earning first place overall in the Vintage Racing classification. Mr. Mattioli won the grand prize, a Ducati SS 750 motorbike customized especially for the Motogiro. Winning second and third places are fellow Italians, Marco Tomassini on his Gilera and Massimo D’Alessio on his Morini. All three top prize winners in the Vintage Racing Class had participated in previous editions of the Motogiro. Dutch rider Eric Willemse placed 7th in the overall Vintage Racing classification.

In the Memorial Taglioni Class, Alfonso Napolitano took first place on his Motobi 125 Sport Special followed by newcomer Matteo Costantino Vocino on his Morini 500 V6 and Rossano Campioli aboard his Ducati 350 D. Both Napolitano and Campioli had participated in previous editions of the Motogiro d’Italia.

This year’s itinerary led participants along rugged and beautiful Sicilian terrain through many of the island’s most intriguing regions, such as Palermo, Trapani, Agrigento, Enna, and Caltanissetta. The event started in Casteldaccia at the Cantine Duca di Salaparuta and ended five days later in Mondello, the swimming hot-spot of Palermo. Participants were able to take in picturesque views both from along the coast and from the mountains, including panoramas of Palermo, Pollina, Terrasini, Trapani, Castelbuono, Gangi, Mistretta, Alimena, Santa Caterina Villarmosa, Caltavuturo, Collesano, Montemaggiore Belsito, San Giovanni Gemini, Corleone, Partinico, Erice, Marsala, Segesta/Calatafimi, Saline Ettore e Infersa, San Giuseppe Jato, Sambuca di Sicilia, Bisacquino, Piana degli Albanesi and Montelepre.

Ducati Motor was the main sponsor of the event for the fourth consecutive year. The Motogiro d’Italia was also made possible by the generous support of: The Presidency of the Region of Sicily, the Council of Tourism for the Region of Sicily, Motociclismo d’Epoca, Corriere dello Sport-Stadio, Shell, Marzocchi, The Region of Palermo, AAPIT (Azienda Autonoma Provinciale per l’Incremento Turistico di Palermo), The Municipality of Palermo, Europcar, Grandi Navi Veloci, The Italian Street Police, The Palermo Municipal Police Department and Palermo Port Authority.

Dream Engine srl, the Bologna-based events company, organized the Motogiro d’Italia for the fourth consecutive year. Technical support was provided by the Motoclub Terni “L. Liberati” with the patronage of the Italian Motorcycle Federation (FIM). Riders in the Touring Class have been assisted by the professional team from Curve& Tornanti. Dream Engine would also like to thank the Polizia Stradale.

Since its revival in 2001, the Motogiro d’Italia has experienced overwhelming international appeal, resulting in a steady increase in the number of participants from 120 participants in 2001, to 250 in 2002, to 350 in 2003, to 400 in 2004. The event is now well-noted in the calendars of motorcycle enthusiasts around the world. The first ever Motogiro d’Italia was held in 1914.

In a nod to its historic roots, several champions from the Motogiro Hall of Fame participated in the 2004 event, including Giuliano Maoggi (winner of the 1956 Motogiro) astride his Ducati 175 Sport and Remo Venturi (winner of the 1957 edition) riding his MV Agusta Rapido Sport 175. Special guests from Ducati included: Managing Director Federico Minoli; Director of Design, Pierre Terblanche; and Director of Research and Development, Gianluigi Mengoli.