A New Zealander on a Benelli, a Brit driving an MV Agusta, a Polish rider aboard his spouse’s Ducati – on the Motogiro d’Italia, motorbike lovers from across the globe come collectively for per week of Italian roads, shared historical past, native delicacies, and infinite curves.
I had dreamed of driving within the Motogiro for years. The thought goes again to my days in southern Germany, after I stumbled throughout a bunch of classic bikes parked in a piazza whereas on vacation in Italy. That unforgettable scene stayed with me. This yr, I lastly made it occur. I left my dwelling in New Zealand and launched into a 26-hour journey to Bologna to meet that long-held dream.
The practice experience from Bologna to Imola was filled with Ferrari followers headed to the Emilia-Romagna Method One Grand Prix. My vacation spot lay farther east: Pesaro, birthplace of composer Gioachino Rossini, dwelling to motorbike model Benelli, and this yr’s begin and end for the Motogiro.
Associated: Tracing 111 Years of Benelli Historical past
As a non-EU citizen, renting a bike in Italy isn’t any straightforward feat. Rental companies are hesitant to lease their valuable Italian machines to non-Europeans. Fortunately, Benelli – the occasion’s essential sponsor – stepped up and offered me with a Leoncino 500 Path, a contemporary traditional with classic aptitude. I used to be the one participant from Oceania, and I’m grateful to Michael Cassel, the German Motogiro liaison, who provided steerage and welcomed me into the German rider contingent.
The Motogiro d’Italia has a storied historical past. From 1914 to 1957, it was a prestigious roadrace for bikes with 75cc to 175cc engines, with manufacturers like Benelli, Moto Guzzi, Ducati, and MV Agusta competeing fiercely for glory. However in 1957, a tragic crash on the Mille Miglia – when a Ferrari left the highway and killed 11 folks – prompted the Italian authorities to ban all roadracing.
The Motogiro was revived in 1989 by Moto Membership Terni. Not a pace race, it was reborn as a rally, targeted on fashion, precision, and endurance. In the present day, the occasion is open to bikes of all eras, whether or not you’re driving competitively or cruising within the vacationer class with no time strain.
Every rider receives a every day begin time and a timecard to be stamped at official checkpoints, that are used not just for timekeeping however as relaxation and refreshment stops providing every part from selfmade cake to savory snacks and drinks, typically hosted by native golf equipment. Some phases even characteristic ability exams, and the day’s outcomes are introduced at dinner every night.
The occasion is escorted by motorcycle-riding carabinieri who guided us out of cities – or in true Italian style, blasted previous visitors jams on the fallacious aspect of the highway with lights flashing.
The route modifications yearly. In 2025, we rode by way of 5 areas: Marche, Emilia-Romagna, Umbria, Lazio, and Abruzzo – a diverse mixture of shoreline, rolling hills, mountain passes, and medieval cities. Round 1,000 miles of largely rural backroads and aspect streets delivered pure driving pleasure, although potholes, cracks, and earthquake harm stored us alert. The surroundings greater than made up for the obstacles: fortresses, monasteries, outdated metropolis partitions, sea views, fountains – Italy in full coloration.
Unforgettable moments? Loads. The scent of untamed broom alongside a excessive ridge highway with ocean views. A cease on the Benelli Museum in Pesaro. A large Valentino Rossi mural in Tavullia. The dramatic climb to Campotosto Lake, framed by snowcapped Abruzzo peaks.
We averaged 155 to 185 miles per day. My scheduled begin time was 9:33 a.m., and I often completed the day’s experience between 5:30 and 6 p.m. One tip I’m completely satisfied to cross on, courtesy of Michael Cassel: at all times carry money! Not all fuel stations settle for bank cards, and a few machines don’t give change for those who overpay. I discovered that the exhausting method.
Night dinners started, in traditional Italian fashion, round 8:30 p.m. However the wait was price it: multicourse meals with pasta, wine, and native aptitude, served on the host lodges.
My Benelli Leoncino 500 Path – No. 86 – match proper in with its spoked wheels and classic design. The longer suspension made tough roads tolerable. The bike ran robust, sounded nice, and had loads of energy – till about 30 miles from the end, when the engine began sputtering. I known as for a tow and made it simply in time for the ultimate gala dinner again in Pesaro.
Bike verdict? The gasoline injection was a bit jerky at low speeds, and the gasoline gauge wasn’t very correct. However general, the Leoncino was a playful companion, and I might simply see including one to my very own storage.
The Motogiro d’Italia is greater than a bike occasion. It’s a rolling museum, a global class reunion, and a time-traveling experience that blends previous and current. For many who embrace the spirit of the Motogiro, it delivers extra than simply curvy roads – it creates a way of group. And perhaps, simply perhaps, it helps you discover a new dwelling within the saddle of an outdated machine.
The 2026 Motogiro d’Italia will happen Might 24-30 in Sardinia. For extra data, go to the Motogiro web site.
Uli Cloesen was born in Stuttgart, Germany. Cloesen at present lives in Christchurch, New Zealand, the place he writes about bikes. He’s the creator of seven books on customized bikes and cafe racers, printed by Veloce within the U.Ok.
