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
