More:  2008 Motogiro America Announced!

2008 Motogiro d'Italia is Finished!
Rome, May 24, 2008 - Under watchful eyes of exhausted but content riders, the commissioners, technicians, the whole staff and the Vice President of the FMI, Fabio Larcieri watched the Eighth Motogiro d’Italia conclude with the presentation of awards, held at the Hotel Cavalieri Hilton.

For the second consecutive year, the Vintage class won the overall competition with its rider, Marco Tomassini, on his 175cc Gilera, winning a “Cucciolo Ducati.”  Mr.Tomassini also won the overall classification with a 00:00:1,48 penalization, after 5 legs.

For the first time, foreign competitors placed first and second in the 125cc class: Hugh Schink and Steve Arnett, while Bram Van Cauwenberghe placed second in the Touring Super Sport.  Riders experienced an arduous Motogiro riding an average of 300km a day, and terrible climatic conditions, forcing riders and “classical motorbikes” to face moments of difficulty.

The Motogiro itinerary saw its convoy of riders start from Rome to Vieste, passing by Montesilvano (Pe) and then return to Rome.  The Valico Apennines of Serra S. Antonio (1608), is one of the most difficult passes of the Apennine ranges -- riders struggled, but overcame the arduous task.

Both national parks of Abruzzo and Gargano offered some of the most spectacular sites and sceneries that competitors were fortunate to experience: long winding roads, olive groves and natural beauty. 

Famous riders, Giuliano Moggi and Remo Venturi, took part at this years event.  Venturi won the 5th leg of the event.  Overall, there were 170 riders, divided into different classes: Vintage, Memorial Taglioni and Touring Super Sport.

There were also 40 riders that participated in the non-competitive, touring class.  Like every year the Italian Police and expert riders assured a safe event by assisting riders and escorting the convoy for the five days.

Many thanks goes out to the partners of Motogiro d’Italia: Motociclismo d’Epoca, Vyrus, Abruzzo Promozione Turismo, the Cities of Carpineto Sinello, Vieste, L’Aquila, Montesilvano, Sulmona and the Province of Pescara.

The event like every year was organized by Dream Engine and the patronage Italian Motorcycling Federation.  Now its all to Monterey, California for the first edition of Motogiro America, from the 12th to 17th of July.  The Motogiro America and The Meet will be held on the same week, that will be a prelude to the Laguna-Seca Moto GP.

For information and cost please visit the web site www.motogiroamerica.com.  Motogiro d’Italia 2009 will be held in the regions of Emilia, Liguria and Piemont.

La Leggenda Ritorna...more "Vintage" than ever.
The 2008 Motogiro of Italy, now in its eighth year, has inaugurated a new Touring Super Sport Class.  The vintage motorcycle tour and race will take place on May 19 - 24, 2008, starting in Rome.

The Motogiro d'Italia is by now recognized as one of the principal events devoted to vintage motorcycling; the historic Revival of the famous on-the-road competition is the show that attracts the greatest number of foreign pilots in Italy today.

But the vintage motorcycle tour also has many riders from outside of Italy, so the organizers have created a class for Europeans or others who have vintage bikes over 175cc.

Up to now, the "sovereign" classes of the Motogiro have been the Historic Revival class, for 175 cc models built up to 1957 and the Taglioni Memorial class for 200 cc models from 1968 to 1978.

To celebrate the great historical successes of Italian mechanics and to complete the traveling museum, which the Motogiro of Italy is, the organization is therefore proposing the new Touring Super Sport - TSS - class open to 250 cc motorcycles and sidecars of all makes produced up to 1968.  The participants in the TSS class will have to face, as will the other categories, reserved trials from which will be created a special classification.

The choice of the creation of the new category has been made in accordance with the Italian Motorcycle Federation, partner of the event, to whom the technical controls for accepting motorbikes to the competition are entrusted.

As always for this year, given the huge influx of pilots from other continents (America, Asia, Oceania), it will be possible to participate in the event in the Tourist class booking a rental motorbike directly from the internet site www.motogiroditalia.com.

UPDATE:  A Special Prize for the Winner of the Motogiro d'Italia: A Personalized Motogiro d'Italia Edition of a "Cucciolo"!

At the awards ceremony in Rome on May 24, 2008 at the end of the 2008 Motogiro d'Italia, the organizational Committee will hand over a new and exclusive prize to the absolute winner of the race 

The winner will, in fact, be able to climb on board a personalized Motogiro d'Italia original Ducati "Cucciolo".   Originally conceived by Aldo Farinelli during the Second World War, the "Cucciolo 50" was then developed by Aldo Leoni. 

Initially sold as a kit and later with its own frame and front-end suspension, the "Cucciolo" came with a small 48 cc, four-stroke engine with a two-speed gear able to generate 1.5 hp and a maximum speed of 50 Km/h.

Fuel mileage was exceptional, with a liter of gasoline the bike could run 100 kilometers without refueling.  After eight years, the Motogiro d'Italia has decided to award the winner of this historical revival with an epoch motorbike to underline how the tradition, elegance and spirit of motorcycling are the true values of the Motogiro d'Italia.  So this year we can expect a great race among the Italian and foreign participants who can take a chance at such a prestigious prize.

Historical Commemorative Class
A maximum of 120 competitors will be welcomed. Motorcycles up to 175 cc (which meet the Highway Code and are properly insured), built before 1957 or thereafter, but inspired by those which used to race in the Motogiro, and that have been individually selected upon the obligatory receipt of two photos (right and left sides) will be admitted.  Motorcycles registered in Italy must be enrolled in the F.M.I. Historical Registry.  Participants in the historical competition will undergo time ability trials during the run.  The outright winner will be awarded a special edition motorbike.

Taglioni Memorial Class
This class is open to all makes of bikes with a minimum 200cc cylinder and bikes of historic interest (at the discretion of the organization), in accordance with the Highway Code, properly insured, and built between 1968 and 1978.  Motorcycles registered in Italy must be enrolled in the F.M.I. Historical Registry.  Those registered in the Memorial class will participate in ability trials reserved for them, and from which a special classification will be assigned.  The winner will be awarded a special prize.

Tourist class (one can also rent a motorbike)
Open to those who own a bike of recent manufacture and who want to live the atmosphere of the Motogiro in a more relaxed way and at a non-competitive level.  Bikes of all makes (and in accordance with the Highway Code and properly insured) are admitted and they will follow the same itinerary as the Historic Revival.  Participants will be divided into groups of about 25 motorbikes and will be assigned a group leader who will serve as a guide along the route and to whom it will always be necessary to make reference.

Touring Super Sport
To celebrate the great "success" of Italian industry and to complete the traveling museum, which the Motogiro is, in 2008 the organization is proposing something novel: the new TSS class open to motorcycles and sidecars of all makes with 250 cc cylinders, built up to 1968.

Those enrolled in the TSS will participate in ability trials set aside for them and from which a special classification will be assigned.  The winner will be awarded a special prize.

For information on the Motogiro of Italy 2008:
Biancamaria Calderoni
Dream Engine - Press Office
Via San Mamolo 155 - 40136 Bologna
tel. +39 051 6440881 -faxes +39 051 3394319

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