The Modern Motogiro D’Italia

The Motogiro d’Italia is renowned as one of Italy’s legendary multi-stage road races, alongside the famous Milan-Taranto event and Mille Miglia car race. In 2024, the organizers of the present-day event celebrated the 110th anniversary of the original Motogiro, which first took place in 1914.

Traditionally starting and finishing in Bologna, the Motogiro ran until 1957 when the Italian government banned all racing on public roads following a fatal accident at that year’s Mille Miglia.
In the early 1990s, the Motogiro was revived as a regularity rally, where careful timekeeping is prioritized over outright speed. The modern event’s average speed is kept relatively low to minimize risks for both riders and spectators. The 2024 Motogiro marked the 33rd year since this revival and was held from May 19th to 25th. In tribute to the race’s origins, it began and ended in Bologna.

The Motogiro offers a unique opportunity for riders to test their skills while enjoying Italy’s stunning landscapes in the company of fellow motorcycle enthusiasts. It is a special event that honors the daring racers of the past, the extraordinary motorcycles they rode and the beautiful country that has been the backdrop for these adventures.

This year’s event saw around 200 riders across seven classifications, welcoming participants on virtually any motorcycle. The diverse group included 19 riders from the U.S., 22 from the U.K., 72 from Italy, 25 from Germany, and others from countries such as Sweden, Belgium, Greece, Argentina, Turkey and Poland. The six stages of the race covered a total of 970 miles at an average speed of about 35 mph.

The Motogiro is not just about iconic machines, but also about the remarkable individuals who ride them. The 2024 event included notable figures such as Italo Forni who won multiple Italian Motocross Championships in the 1970s, three-time 125cc World Champion Pier Paolo Bianchi (1976, 1977 & 1980) and Virginio Ferrari, who finished second to Kenny Roberts in the 1979 500cc World Championship and later won the 1987 TT Formula 1 World Title. Other distinguished participants included car designer Donato Coco — creator of well-known models for both Citroën and Ferrari and Head of Design at Lotus from 2009 to 2014 — Moto Mondiale and Superbike rider Stefano Caracchi and Luciano Liberati, nephew of 1957 World Champion Libero Liberati.

At the rest stops, it’s easy to be captivated by the array of rare vintage motorcycles, but it’s also worth taking the time to speak with the riders themselves — there are some truly fascinating stories among those in the saddles.

Rare Argentinians Return to their Roots

The 2024 Motogiro showcased a diverse array of motorcycles, featuring not only well-known marques such as Norton, BSA, Triumph and BMW, but also rarer European brands such as NSU, Sarolea and Rudge. Italian motorcycles were well represented, including the famous marques Ducati, Moto Guzzi and MV Agusta, in addition to lesser-known names such as Bianchi, MotoBi and Aermacchi. Among the rarest machines participating were three Tehuelche motorcycles from Argentina, drawing significant attention from even the most knowledgeable enthusiasts due to their rarity.

Despite their South American origins, Tehuelche motorcycles have Italian roots. In the late 1940s, Italians Giovanni Raffaldi and Roberto Fattorini moved to Argentina from Piacenza, spurred by post-war economic depression in Italy and inspired by business development incentives being offered in South America. They established a company in Buenos Aires and, in 1957, launched the Tehuelche motorcycle, named after a Patagonian Indigenous people.

The bike, built around a bespoke 75cc single-cylinder single overhead-cam engine with gear-driven camshaft, was designed for high performance, reaching up to 10,000rpm. Despite having no oil pump and only three gears, the Tehuelche achieved significant success in 75cc, 100cc and 125cc categories in local races in the late ’50s and early ’60s. In race trim, the bikes probably made 12-14bhp and weighed 145lbs (66kgs).

Over 5,000 Tehuelche motorcycles were produced between 1957 and 1964. Despite their small size and simple design, these bikes were known for both their racing success and unique engineering.
Argentinian Vladimir Nekola has been instrumental in preserving the Tehuelche legacy, restoring these bikes and authoring Tehuelche, a book about them. He rode one of three 75cc Tehuelches in the 2024 Motogiro. Their journey started each day with early morning checks of nuts, bolts, spark plugs and contact breakers, a demonstration of their dedication and resilience.

The Tehuelches completed the event despite the bikes’ small size and daily maintenance demands. The team of three riders was elated — they had come to Italy hoping to merely finish a few stages and learn about the event. The performance of the bikes was impressive considering they make less than ten horsepower! Thanks to their indomitable spirit, the team members were treated as celebrities during the event.

Their participation in the Motogiro was made possible through the support of Burt Richmond, a Chicago-based moto-enthusiast who introduced Vladimir to the event organizers. Another supporter was Marcelo Doffo, an Argentine-born Californian who owns Doffo Wines and has a collection of over 200 motorcycles. Marcelo and his family provided encouragement and plenty of libation for the Tehuelche team during the event.

Reflecting on his relationship with the marque, Vladimir stated, “I was initially attracted to the Tehuelche because it’s one of very few 100% Argentine motorcycles. It was also a champion with a sophisticated racing engine — way ahead of its time. My passion for this bike comes from watching it as a young boy win so many races. Taking three Tehuelches to the Motogiro and finishing all six grueling stages was an epic personal achievement that completed the circle for me.”

Remo’s Ride Rolls On

One of the most fascinating bikes in the 2024 Motogiro was a well-worn, red 150cc MV Agusta, covered with race stickers and carrying many old lead scrutineering seals on its headtube. On the front fender was riveted a metal badge showing the image of a classic racer in a pudding basin helmet with an Italian tricolor stripe, the name “R. Venturi” and the name Spoleto on the chin strap. This bike, it turns out, was ridden in many events by the famed Italian racer Remo Venturi.

In the 1950s and ’60s, Remo competed on various machines ranging from 125cc to 500cc, racing for manufacturers such as DKW, Morini, Mondial, MV Agusta, Bianchi, Benelli and Gilera. He gained initial fame by winning the Milan-Taranto road race in 1954 on a 175cc Mondial. In 1957, he famously won the final Motogiro d’Italia on a double-overhead cam 175cc MV Agusta.

Remo raced factory 500cc Grand Prix MV Agustas as a teammate to multiple-time World Champion John Surtees. In 1959 and 1960, he finished second to Surtees in the 500cc World Championship. Remo was a four-time Italian National Champion on 500cc MV Agustas (1959, 1960 & 1962) and on a Bianchi in 1964. Remo was part of the “Golden Age” of racing, competing alongside legends such as John Surtees, Mike Hailwood, Giacomo Agostini and Renzo Pasolini.

Even after retiring from professional racing, Remo continued riding a small-displacement MV Agusta in various events. He rode the modern Milan-Taranto in 2004 at age 77, 50 years after his first win. He also participated in the 2007 Motogiro d’Italia, 50 years after his 1957 victory, and last rode the Motogiro in 2017 at the age of 90.

In 2023, Californian Barry Porter acquired Remo’s 1959 MV Agusta 150cc RS (Rapido Sport) from Remo’s son. Barry rode the MV in the 2024 editions of the Motogiro d’Italia and Milan-Taranto, winning his class in the latter event. The bike has been upgraded with more compliant telescopic forks, a gas tank from a mid-’70s MV Agusta 125, a hump-back racing seat and alloy rims.

About owning the bike, Barry said, “I’m pleased to be able to keep it in the public eye by riding in events like the Motogiro and Milano Taranto. These events provide the opportunity to display vintage motorcycles, and Remo’s MV Agusta was clearly built to be ridden. I’m honored to be the next person to enjoy riding it.”

Remo is still with us. During the 2024 Milano-Taranto, when the race passed through Remo’s hometown of Spoleto, the organization sent delegates to visit and honor the 97-year-old legend on the 70th anniversary of his 1954 win.

For those interested in his remarkable life, Paolo Ciri has written a small but excellent biography titled Remo Venturi and the Golden Age of Motorcycle Racing. This book is a tribute to one of the greats of motorcycle racing history.

Museums and the Motogiro

In the realm of motorized transport, Italy has a rich history of innovative and attractive industrial design coupled with manufacturing excellence. There are numerous museums throughout the country that showcase those traditional attributes.

During the 2023 edition of the Motogiro, one of the rest stops included a visit to the Piaggio Museum in Pontadera. This museum showcases a wide range of two-wheeled treasures from brands such as Moto Guzzi, Gilera, Aprilia and Vespa, all part of the Piaggio family.

The 2024 Motogiro featured additional visits to several remarkable museums. One of the highlights was the Ducati Museum in Bologna, located in Borgo Panigale, home to the Ducati factory. Riders stopped for a photo-op at the factory on the final day of the event. The Ducati Museum, with its rich history of the brand, is a must-see for any motorcycle enthusiast, and tours of the museum and factory can be booked directly through the Ducati website.

Another notable stop was the Righini Collection in Panzano, housed in a rustic brick building. The collection is renowned for its historic Alfa Romeos but also includes a selection of beautiful classic motorcycles. In addition, the Museo Nicolis in Villafranca di Verona offered an impressive and diverse collection. Spanning over 65,000 square feet, the museum holds about 200 cars, 100 motorcycles, 110 bicycles and other fascinating items such as cameras, typewriters and Formula One steering wheels.

The spectacular Nigelli Collection in Monte San Pietro, focusing on motorcycles from the Bologna region, also made the list of museum visits. This collection holds over 100 motorcycles dating from 1920 to 1970, alongside around 250 motorcycle engines. I was amazed at how many lovely machines had been made by manufacturers that I’d never heard of. The cherry on top was bumping into renowned motorcycle tuner and my old friend, Reno Leoni, while at this museum. He lives not far away and just happened to be visiting with his family.
One of the stops during the 2024 tour included the Ferrari Museum in Modena. Unfortunately, due to long lines, there wasn’t enough time to go inside.

Looking ahead, the 2025 edition of the Motogiro will continue the tradition of making museum visits an integral part of the event. Participants will have the chance to visit the Benelli Museum in Pesaro, the National Motorcycle Museum in Rimini, the famous Battisti Collection in Pesaro and the Air Force Historical Museum. These additions are sure to enhance what is already an iconic event for motorcycle enthusiasts.

The 2025 Motogiro d’Italia

The next Motogiro d’Italia event will take place from May 18-24, 2025, starting and finishing in Pesaro, located on the Adriatic Coast. Pesaro is historically significant in the motorcycle world, being the home of Benelli motorcycles, Morbidelli and MotoBi, and has a rich legacy of Italian motorcycle manufacturers and racers.

The route will also include a stop in Terni, where the Moto Club Terni, the organizer of the event, is based. In 2025, Moto Club Terni will celebrate its 100th anniversary. Terni has a storied motorcycle heritage, being home to past champions such as Mario Umberto “Baconin” Borzacchini, Libero Liberati and Paolo Pileri, as well as current stars such as World Superbike racer Danilo Petrucci.

There are enough classes that any motorcycle is eligible to participate and compete against the clock. The “heritage” category is for any bike made between 1914 and 1949. A “historical recalling” category lumps together bikes made between 1950 and 1958 (up to 175cc) as well as bikes made between 1959 to 1969 (any displacement). The “1960s historical re-enactment” category includes scooters and sidecars made between 1959 and 1969. The “classic” category is for sidecars and motorcycles made between 1970 and 1990. The “Motogiro d’Italia” category includes anything made after 1991. Finally, there is a separate “scooter” category for scooters made after 1970. There is an umbrella category for anyone who wishes to ride but non-competitively. This is the “tourist” category and is open to any bike, sidecar or scooter.

Participants typically ride their own machines, but owning a classic bike is not a necessity. MotoTouring, run by Eligio Arturi in Milan, offers vintage bike rentals for the event, allowing more enthusiasts to join in on the experience. Alternatively, you can contact the organizers at Info@MotogiroItalia.it and inquire about the availability of bikes for rent. One can even rent a modern Ducati, scooter or other bike to ride as a Tourist.

You can also ship your own bike to Italy, either via air freight (fast but expensive) or by sea (cheaper but not as fast). Figure on $1,000 to 3,000 each way depending on shipping method, etc. Those who have gone this route say it’s probably not worth it unless you plan to leave a bike over there for future adventures. Eligio at Mototouring can help with shipping, bike transport and storage in Italy if you choose to pursue this option.

Massimo Mansueti, President of Moto Club Terni, explained the choice of the 2025 route: “The choice of Pesaro as the start and finish location was made because the city is important in the history of world motorcycling. Pesaro has been the city of the motorbike for almost 100 years. Also, in 2025, our Terni motorbike club will celebrate our 100th anniversary, and we felt it was our duty to honor our city and our centenary with two stages in our city and the beautiful and unique places that surround it. Our goal is to strongly tell its history and passion for motorbikes, cars, engines and racing.”

Registration for the 2025 Motogiro is now open, with the total cost being €2,100. This fee includes all hotels, transfers, breakfasts and dinners, with a €700 deposit due at the time of registration. Registration is open until April 10, 2025, but keep in mind that the 2024 event was already fully booked by the end of December 2023. The organizers will accept the first 200 applications and create a waiting list for additional applicants.

U.S. travelers going to Pesaro should probably plan to fly into one of the two main airports in the Emilia-Romagna region: Bologna (BLQ) or Rimini (RMI). The Bologna airport is larger and offers more flight options, and there are high-speed trains to Pesaro, a trip of about an hour and a half. Flying into Rimini puts you much closer to Pesaro — about 30 to 40 minutes away by car — but there are fewer flights serving the smaller airport.

The Motogiro d’Italia is an incredible experience, offering beautiful scenery, challenging roads and rewarding camaraderie. The blend of historic machines, unique venues and a diverse group of international moto-enthusiasts creates unforgettable memories. MC

Benelli Motorcycles

Benelli is a venerable Italian motorcycle manufacturer with a long and storied history. The company was founded in 1911 by six Benelli brothers in Pesaro, Italy. In 1921, they introduced their first production motorcycle, and soon after, their 175cc four-stroke race bike won multiple Italian Championships in 1927, 1928, 1930 and 1931. Notably, Benelli has won the 250cc World Championship twice — in 1950 with rider Dario Ambrosini and again in 1969 with Kel Carruthers. In 1951, they launched their famous “Leoncino” model, which went on to win the Motogiro d’Italia in 1953.

The company faced financial struggles in the 1970s but was revitalized when Argentinian entrepreneur Alejandro De Tomaso acquired it. Under De Tomaso’s leadership, Benelli launched the world’s first production six-cylinder motorcycles, the legendary 750cc and 900cc “Sei” models.

Today, Benelli is owned by the Chinese QianJiang Group. However, design, marketing and some manufacturing operations remain based in Pesaro, Italy. The company’s design hub, the Centro Stile Benelli, was established in 2015 to ensure that all models truly reflect Benelli’s heritage while embracing modern aesthetics. Chief Designer Stefano Casanova and his team play a vital role in maintaining this balance between tradition and innovation.

Benelli generously sponsored the modern Motogiro d’Italia and offered me a 2023 Benelli 500 Leoncino Trail to ride in the 2024 event. This 500cc, water-cooled, fuel-injected, parallel-twin motorcycle generates 46.9hp at 8500rpm and 33.2lb-ft of torque at 3000rpm, weighing 456 pounds. The bike’s capable suspension, Brembo brakes, and moderate weight made it well-suited for the narrow, twisty roads on the Motogiro route.

The company describes the Leoncino as a symbol of their ongoing passion for motorcycles and Italian craftsmanship, blending classic design with modern engineering. The 500 Leoncino Trail is priced around $7,000 in the U.S. market and has proven to be a well-rounded, fine-handling machine. Benelli continues to offer a wide range of models across various global markets, and their full US lineup is available on their website.

The 2025 edition of the Motogiro will begin and end in Pesaro, Benelli’s hometown, and the company’s ongoing support for the Motogiro and their strong presence at the event further solidifies the company’s long-time standing in the world of Italian motorcycles.