Text and photos courtesy Ducati Motor S.p.A.

The Fifth Annual Ducati Centopassi.  Eastern Alps: July 17-21, 2007

2007 Centopassi Results
The fifth edition of the Centopassi motorcycling challenge organized by Dream Engine ended in Bolzano, Italy on July, 21st.  Antonio Zingali is the winner of competition class.

Antonio Zingali, in the seat of his BWW R1200GS Adventure, is the overall winner of the fifth edition of CENTOPASSI, the motorcycling event which ended on July 21st in the Italian mountain city of Bolzano.

Zingali’s final score of 56 points represents the sum of his points earned in the ability tests and assorted time checks throughout the arduous route.  During the closing ceremony of the event, the winner was presented with the grand prize: a travel package plus accommodation to participate in the finals of Paris-Dakar 2008. 

In the Competition Class, Simone Martina won second place on his BWW R1200GS with 46 points, followed by Marco Tomassini, also on BWW R1200GS, with 45 points.  All three top finalists are Italian citizens.  Team Etna Cavalieri del Principe (Zingali, Di Mauro, Battiato) won in the team classification with 137 points, followed by team BMW Racing Italia (Tomassini, Severi, Russo) with 94 points and by team Le Mucche (Tajè, Martina, Tajè) with 80 points.

The exploration of the Eastern Alps was divided into four exciting legs and began on July 18th with a departure from Piazza Fiera in Bolzano.  The first portion of the ride was a challenging route from the Dolomites to the Julian Alps (365 km), ending in Bled (Slovenia).  The second leg explored Triglav Park with a 272 km route, while the third day riders went back to Bolzano (389 km).  The fourth and last leg was a trip through the mountains surrounding Bolzano (284 km).

Following four years that heightened awareness and interest, this year’s event hosted 120 passionate motorcyclists from many different countries (Italy, Austria, Belgium, England, France, Germany, Greece, Holland, Hungary, Ireland, Luxembourg, Portugal, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, USA), ready to test themselves and enjoy the spectacular views and alpine riding.

The arrivals were booked in Bolzano and in the beautiful Slovenian town of Bled, towns with first class hotels to accommodate the motorcyclists and where the Centopassi Village was also set up.  The riders and local public were offered entertainment, music and a bike exhibition.  The Village also hosted the street safety project ‘Sicuri su due Ruote’, with bike-driving simulators, the Ducati Owners Club Trentino Alto Adige Südtirol and the Ducati Store Bolzano.

Centopassi was started in 2003 with the aim of launching a challenge to motorcycle fans who love riding on mountain roads. The last four years have seen the growth of this event and perfected its philosophy: a challenging task with respect to the tests yet filled with excitement, fun and group spirit.

The event is open to all brands of motorcycles that have been registered no earlier than 1980, and with a minimum of a 150 cc.  The two classes of participation offer the possibility to choose between the competitive and the tourist class. In the Competition Class, which is not a race of speed, there can be a single participant or a team.

The scheduled route is very challenging and is designed for expert motorcyclists. Participants, during every leg, are subject to time checks and ability trials to evaluate their skill, precision and equilibrium.  The Iron Biker Class is designed for those who prefer a non-competitive experience and want to have the time to appreciate the exquisite landscapes, small villages and pleasant atmosphere.  Federal motorcycle guides accompanied the group, giving advice on the mountain routes.

Centopassi enjoys the support of the main sponsor ZZegna, the fragrance by ErmenegildoZegna, which has sponsored the event for 3 years, and of the technical partners Ducati Motor, Iveco and Tucano Urbano, as well as the collaboration of the City of Bled (Slovenia) and of the Bolzano Trade Fair. The event is organized by Dream Engine under the aegis of the Italian Motorcycle Federation.

Ducati has announced that the fifth edition of the Centopassi will be held in the Eastern Alps from July 17 to July 21, 2007.

This year, the overall winner will be invited to attend the finish of the Paris -Dakar 2008 Race!

This year, the Centopassi motorcycling event is dedicated to riders who are eager to venture through mountain passes with its ever-changing scenery in the beautiful Alps, ranging from West to East.

Participants in the 2007 event will definitely see a variety of scenery.  The route will be split into four legs of approximately 350km, each of which will wind through the most thrilling roads and passes of the Eastern Alps that have been selected to test the participants’ riding skills and endurance.

Leg arrivals will be fixed at Bolzano and at the striking Slovenian town of Bled, both of which are locations which have hotel structures best qualified to host the riders.

The Centopassi Village will also be set up in both towns.  Riders and the local public will be welcomed by live entertainment, music and bike shows. 

On July 17th, participants will meet in Bolzano for the final registration and technical briefing and on the 18th will depart towards Bled (Slovenia)

The Centopassi was born in 2003 with the goal of launching a challenge for all motorcyclists passionate about mountain riding.  The past four editions have seen the event grow and perfect its philosophy: a challenge from the riding perspective that creates excitement, thrills, fun and team spirit.

The event is open to all motorcycle brands registered from 1980 onwards, with a minimum of 150 cc.  The two classes of participation – Competition and Iron Biker – offer the possibility of choosing between a competitive or tourist mode and are characterized as follows:

Competition Class:  These participants may take part individually or as part of a team of 3 to 4 riders.  It is not a speed race, but rather requires riders to follow very demanding routes recommended for expert riders.  During each leg, participants are subject to time checks and must undertake ability trials that evaluate their precision and balance.

Class Iron Biker:  This class is for those riders who prefer a non-competitive experience and want to take in the stunning scenery, historic villages and overall flavor of the Italian and Slovenian mountain atmosphere.  Expert motorcycle guides from will lead this group, offering advice on mountain riding.

Centopassi is made possible thanks to the support, for the third consecutive year, of the main sponsor Z Zegna, the fragrance by Ermenegildo Zegna, and also relies on the support of the technical partners Ducati Motor and Tucano Urbano.

The event is organized by Dream Engine, under the approval of Federazione Motociclistica Italiana, with the technical collaboration of the Curve & Tornanti team and the Auto Moto Club Viterbo.

The scheduled legs are:

Centopassi will end with the prize giving ceremony on July 21st, during which the best overall rider in the Competition Class will be awarded the new first-place prize that will satisfy the desire for adventure that lies within every true biker: a travel package and accommodation to watch the final arrival of the Paris Dakar 2008 race.

The package includes roundtrip airfare, four days and three nights (full board) in a hotel and the amazing chance to attend the finish of the race at Lac Rose and discover the wonders of the Senegalese capital.

Registrations for Centopassi 2007 will be open until July 2nd, 2007, or until the maximum number of places available is reached. Registration form can be filled out directly online at the Centopassi website.

For more information:

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