Ducati Centopassi Challenge
Text and photos courtesy
Ducati Motor S.p.A.
Centopassi Update:
See below
for the Centopassi itinerary
Registrations are open for the third edition of
the motorcycle event not to be missed by those who
love challenging mountain passes.
Fun, challenging, adventurous: this is the spirit
of Centopassi, the event created to spur the appetite of
the most demanding motorcyclists that enjoy giving
their best on mountain roads.
The third edition will take place from the 21st to
the 24th of July 2005, on the Western part of the
Alps. Through the most thrilling passes and
captivating roads, with numerous variations the 2004
itinerary will be broadened and refined.
Departure from Cote d Azure is set for the 21st
July following a previous day of preliminary
operations and bike check. The ocean breeze is left
behind to introduce 4 legs, a succession of places
that embody the true mountain spirit amongst the
summits of French and Italian Alps. Waiting for the
participants will be over a thousand kilometers to
cover and as many emotions to be lived.
In 2005 the end of each leg will be set in the
area of Val di Susa, headquarters of the Olympic
Winter Games 2006. Centopassi riders and local
public will be greeted in the main locations of the
region with a square full of novelties, activities,
entertainment, music and motorcycle display .
The event will conclude itself with the prize
giving ceremony at the end of the 4th and last leg.
The best rider overall in the Competition Class will
be awarded the coveted 1st prize: a Ducati
Multistrada 620, the new version of the most
eclectic motorcycle produced by the Bolognese house.
Noticeably lighter than her big sister curves can
be handled with outstanding agility on a route like
Centopassi.
Centopassi is an event open to bikes of all
marques and the two classes of participation are
characterized as follows:
Competition Class
Participants may choose to take part individually or
as part of a team of 3 riders. They will ride an
estimated 300 kilometres per day, covering numerous
mountain passes. Centopassi is not a test of speed
but participants are requested to ride a very
demanding route, designed for experienced riders. At
each leg, participants will undertake an ability
trial that will evaluate ones capacity, precision
and balance.
Iron Biker Class
It is for those riders who prefer a non-competitive
experience and who wish to take in the stunning
scenery, historic villages and overall flavour of
the Italian and French mountain experience. Expert
motorcycle guides from the Curve&Tornanti Team will
accompany this group, offering tips on mountain
riding.
The maximum number of participants in the
Competition Class is 140 riders, for the Iron Biker
Class numbers are not restricted.
Centopassi is made possible thanks to the
technical support of Ducati Motor and Iveco. The
event takes place under the aegis of the Italian
Motorcyclist Federation and Dream Engine, the
organiser, is supported by Motoclub Terni "L.
Liberati" and the Curve & Tornanti team.
Centopassi Itinerary
The two-wheeled challenge will start in Nice on
July 21st and end on July 24th in Bardonecchia.
Four exhilarating legs on the Western Alps
compose the route for the most satisfying
motorcycling event on mountain roads, organized by
Dream Engine with the support of the main sponsor, Z
Zegna, Iveco and the technical partner, Ducati
Motor.
A fascinating and engaging itinerary that pivots
between Italy and France, amongst the most beautiful
summits of the Western Alps: this is the route
designed for the third edition of Centopassi, an
event that, since 2003, has spurred the appetite of
the most demanding riders who like to give the best
of themselves on mountain roads.
Centopassi will depart from Nice on the 21st of
July, after the preliminary operations check-in and
bike check that will take place on the previous day.
Then the sea breeze will be left behind for the
mountain air and four stunning legs filled with
excitement:
Leg 1 - Nice-Oulx
Nice Gorges du Cians Guillaumes Col de la
Cayolle Barcellonette Col du Vars Guillestre
Col d'Izoard Brianηon Col du Montgenevre
Cesana Torinese Oulx.
Leg 2 - Bardonecchia / Cesana Torinese
("Marathon" leg)
Bardonecchia Col de l'Echelle Brianηon
L'Argentiere la Besse Col du Vars Jausiers Col
de la Bonette Isola Col de la Lombarda Vinadio
Demonte -
This leg will offer participants the choice of how
to end the second half of the leg. Two routes will
be available "HARD" more demanding with a higher
level of difficulty - or "EASY", a less demanding
route, thus allowing more expert riders as well as
those with less experience on mountain roads to
enjoy themselves according to their abilities.
1) HARD: Barcia Colle dei Morti Elva
2) EASY: Borgo San Dalmazzo Dronero Elva
Col de Sampeyre Colle dell'Agnello Chateau
Queyras Col du Montgenevre Cesana Torinese.
Leg 3 Bardonecchia-Bardonecchia
Bardonecchia Susa Col du Mont Cenis
Lanslebourg Modane Saint M. de Maurienne Col du
Mollard Belleville Col de la Croix de Fer Alp
d'Huez Col de la Sarenne Clavans Col du
Lautaret La Vachette Col de L'Echelle
Bardonecchia.
Leg 4 Bardonecchia-Bardonecchia
Bardonecchia Col de l'Echelle Brianηon Col du
Lautaret Col du Galibier Col du Telegraphe
Montvernier Col du Chaussy Col de la Madeleine
Bourg St. Maurice Col de l'Iseran Lanslevillard
Col du Mont Cenis Susa Bardonecchia.
The itinerary is subject to possible variations
due to logistics and/or owing to events beyond the
control of the organizers.
Participants and the local public will be greeted
at the end of each leg at the "Villaggio Centopassi"
rich with novelties, entertainment, animation, music
and a bike exhibit.
For the two last legs, which end
in Bardonecchia (on Saturday July 23rd and Sunday
July 24th), the V Cronoscalata Cittΰ di Bardonecchia
III Memorial "Max Usseglio" will take place
simultaneously.
This event has been organized by the
local Moto Club Polisportiva "Max Usseglio" and will
have important faces from the world of enduro
challenge, directly on the slopes of mount Colomion
and the most spectacular freestylers performing
breathtaking acrobatics.
Centopassi will conclude with a prize giving
ceremony and cocktail offered by the Bardonecchia
Municipality at the end of the fourth leg, where the
best rider in the Competition Class will take home
the coveted 1st prize: a Ducati Multistrada 620, the
new version of the most eclectic bike produced by
the Bolognese brand.
Registration
Registration is open until June 30, 2005. Bikes
of all brands can participate in one of two
different categories: the competitive Competition
Class, and the turistic Iron Biker Class.
Centopassi is made possible thanks to the main
sponsor Z Zegna, the new fragrance for men launched
by Ermenegildo Zegna, a perfume that speaks of
style, sport and seduction, created for a man who is
passionate about his liberty, about the open road,
motorbikes, speed and travel. The event also relies
on the support of Iveco and technical partner Ducati
Motor.
Centopassi is an event organised by Dream Engine,
with the support of the Curve&Tornanti team,
Motoclub Terni "L. Liberati" and under the aegis of
Federazione Motociclistica Italiana.
For more information:
Dream Engine
Via Saffi, 4
40131 Bologna
Tel. +39 051 6494793
Fax +39 051 5286378
www.centopassi.com
