Consider this a scoop, because even though it's not yet official, we have it from reliable sources that the organizers of the acclaimed Motogiro d'Italia retrospective motorcycle rally featuring 175cc and smaller bikes (click here to read our story from the January/February 2008 issue) are bringing the rally to the U.S. this coming July.

From what we’ve learned, the five-day rally is tentatively scheduled for July 11-17, 2008, the week before the MotoGP at Laguna Seca raceway in Monterey, California, July 18-20, 2008. With an expected start/finish in Monterey, participants will have no excuse to miss the big-bike racing at Laguna Seca following the giro.

Italian promotion machine Dream Engine, organizers of the Motogiro d’Italia (www.motogiroditalia.com), has confirmed plans but not dates for the rally. Ducati is closely associated with the Italian event, and it’s expected the company will have a high profile at the U.S. Motogiro, as well. Plus, given the weak dollar, a U.S. vacation is a cheap proposition, so expect lots of Italians with their little bikes to descend on Monterey come early July. We’ll post exact dates and entry information as it becomes available.

If you can’t make it in July, don’t forget the Giro d’California IV, tentatively scheduled for October 5-7. A final route has yet to be determined, but you can bet that organizer Harley Welch has designed another fabulous run through the wilds of coastal California. More information at www.girodcalifornia.com. – Richard Backus

The big news for classic bike fans at November’s 65^th Annual Association of Motorcycle and Bicycle Manufacturers show in Milan, Italy, was the launch — or should we say re-launch? — of the new Moto Guzzi V7 Sport. Pegged for 2008 production, the new V7 is a direct descendent of the original 700cc Guzzi twin that went into production 40 years ago. That bike set Moto Guzzi’s fortunes in the U.S., and was the foundation for every Guzzi twin since, from the 750cc Ambassador to Guzzi’s latest eight-valve, fuel-injected 1,200cc Stelvio, also launched at the show.

In keeping with the V7’s classic roots, the new bike’s gas tank is a copy of the original, as is the seat. The new V7 Sport uses familiar two-valve technology paired with modern fuel injection, and like all Guzzi’s it retains shaft final drive. The old-tech engine also makes it clear that Guzzi is going for style over performance with this bike, with power from the twin expected at a modest 48hp, the same as the Breva 750. The single front and rear disc brakes should be more than adequate to control its estimated 400lb bulk.

The big question remaining is whether Guzzi will sell the V7 Sport in the States. Guzzi hasn’t said, and the bike doesn’t appear on the Guzzi website (www.motoguzzi-us.com) but given the attention Ducati and Triumph have received with their latest retro offerings in the U.S., we’re guessing Moto Guzzi designed the bike with U.S. sales in mind.

Special thanks to Paul Crowe at The Kneeslider (www.thekneeslider.com) for alerting us to the bike’s launch. – Richard Backus