LA LEGGENDA RITORNA. ON THE 16th MAY 2006 THE GRAND MOTOGIRO D’ITALIA CHALLENGE RECOMMENCES In 2006 the historic revival of Italy’s oldest timed motorcycle road race will take place from the 16th to the 20th May, with departure from Rimini and five legs between Romagna, Marche, Abruzzo and Molise. Bologna, December 2005. From the 16th to the 20th May 2006 the Motogiro d’Italia, by now a point of reference for those passionate about vintage motorcycles, will cruise Italy from Romagna to Abruzzo, with its caravan of hundreds of motorcycles old and new. For the sixth consecutive time, the event is organized by Dream Engine and is supported by the main sponsor Ducati Motor that, since 2001, has chosen to associate its name to an event that brings back the glorious years of Italian motorcycling. The Motogiro d’Italia is much more than a simple event for vintage motorcycles: it recreates the electrical atmosphere, the team spirit and the adventure that were present in the original race. Hosting the most renowned Italian and foreign collectors with their most prized pieces and at the same time offering to its participants the opportunity to appreciate the wonders of Italian tourism, its territory and products. The previous editions, from 2001 to 2005 have seen a constant rise of interest and enthusiasm toward the Motogiro, from the 120 initial participants of the first edition numbers now reach 400 participants coming from all over the world. In order to keep alive the bond with history, the champions of the 1950’s Motogiro, have been guests of honour – Maoggi, Venturi, Tartarini, Mendogni and on the Italian roads it was possible to watch the best of Italian motorcycle production battle themselves: Ducati, Morini, MV Agusta, Moto Guzzi, Benelli, Bianchi, Piaggio, Gilera, Motobi. The 2006 edition will maintain the same this formula of success, starting from the Land of motorcycling by excellence, Romagna and then moving in legs of approximately 250 km each towards south until Abruzzo and Molise. Currently the route comprises the following legs: 15th May 2006: preliminary operations at Rimini. 16th May 2006, leg 1: Rimini-Ancona 17th May 2006, leg 2: Ancona-Ascoli Piceno 18th May 2006, leg 3: Ascoli Piceno-Ascoli Piceno 19th May 2006, leg 4: Ascoli Piceno -Ancona 20th May 2006, leg 5: Ancona-Rimini. The route is studied so as to prize the peculiar characteristics of the vintage motorcycles, with legs as “daisy petals” that is departure and arrival from the same city – of adequate length and type. A lot of attention is also put into the choice of unique routes with plenty of sceneries and tourist locations of particular interest in the coast and inland that gratify also the participants in the Tourist Class. Numerous rest points are assigned along the route, thanks to the collaboration of local agencies and motoclubs. At the end of each leg, participants are welcomed at the Motogiro Village set up in the city of arrival. In 2006, for the “gran finale” participants will be guests of the Municipality of Rimini for the prize giving dinner, during which the overall winner of the Vintage Class will be awarded a special Motogiro 2006 Ducati. The Motogiro d’Italia 2006 relies on the support of Ducati Motor the event’s main sponsor. The event is also made possible thanks to the support of: Shell, Marzocchi, Motociclismo d’Epoca, Iveco, Province of Rimini, Municipality of Rimini, Province of Ancona, Municipality of Ancona, Municipality of Ascoli Piceno, Umani Ronchi. The event organization is assisted by the Federazione Motociclistica Italiana, for the technical support Motoclub Terni “L. Liberati”. Participants in the Touring Class will be accompanied by FMI (Italian Motorcycle Federation) Federal Safe Riding instructors from the Curve&Tornanti team. The Motogiro is open to motorcycles authorized for road use of all marques and is divided into three classes: Vintage Racing Class With an overall limit of 120 participants, this class features motorbikes of up to 175cc manufactured prior to 1957 inspired on the motorcycles that raced in the original Motogiro. Competitors in the Vintage Racing Class ware subject to timed, competitive ability tests en-route. Taglioni Memorial Class This class is open to street legal motorbikes of all marques, 250 cc or higher, produced between 1968 and 1978, period, which highlights the decade where the Ducati engineer Fabio Taglioni created his legendary 2 cylinder motorbikes. Competitors in this class take part in ability trials and the winner will take home a special prize. Touring Class For riders of newer bikes, who wish to participate in the excitement of the Motogiro on a more relaxed, non-competitive basis. The touring class is open to motorbikes of all marques. For general information and registration on the Motogiro d’Italia 2006: Dream Engine Via Saffi 4 -40131 Bologna tel. +39 051 6494776 -fax +39 051 5286378 www.motogiroditalia.com – [email protected]