From a press release issued by Ducati North America:

FROM THE 24th TO THE 28th MAY 2005 MOTOGIRO RETURNS TO THE ROADS OF TRADITION

After the very enjoyable 2004 get-a-way in Sicily, the historic revival of Italy’s oldest timed motorcycle road race has chosen central Italy as its stage for 2005. Ducati Motor once again is the main sponsor of the event organized by Dream Engine.

Bologna – From May 24th – 28th 2005, the Motogiro d’Italia, the historic Italian motorbike competition, returns to the legendary roads of Emilia Romagna, Umbria, Tuscany and Marche. Dream Engine is organizing the event for its fifth consecutive year and Ducati Motor is the event’s main sponsor – as it has been since 2001 – helping to celebrate the golden years of Italian motorcycling.

The first four editions of the Motogiro have seen a constant rise in interest and enthusiasm from motorcyclists everywhere. From the first edition’s 20 passionate riders, the event has grown to include over 400 participants from all over the world. Each year, champions of the 1950’s Motogiro like, Giuliano Maoggi, Remo Venturi and Leopoldo Tartarini, have returned to the event as guests of honor. The beautifully diverse Italian peninsula has proven time and again the perfect stage to showcase the most renowned Italian motorcycle makes – names like: Ducati, Morini, MV Agusta, Moto Guzzi, Benelli, Bianchi, Gilera and Motobi.

After an awe-inspiring escape to Sicily, which took the 2004 Motogiro through unexplored curves and bends, the 2005 edition returns to more ‘traditional’ roads in central Italy. The itinerary begins with departure from Cattolica (Rimini) and ends in Gradara (Pesaro-Urbino). In between await five legs of approximately 250 km each on some of the most panoramic and enjoyable roads Italy’s coastline and inland has to offer. Like in previous editions, Touring Class participants will have the opportunity to visit and enjoy the cultural treasures along the way. Numerous rest stops will be organized along each day’s route. And at the end of each leg, participants will be greeted by the travelling Motogiro Village. Prize giving will be accompanied by a gala dinner on the event’s last day. The finalized itinerary will be published as the event nears.

Sponsored by Ducati Motor – the event’s main sponsor for the fifth consecutive year, Motogiro is also made possible by the support of: Regione Emilia Romagna, Motociclismo d’Epoca, Corriere dello Sport-Stadio, Shell, Marzocchi, Iveco, Comune di Gradara, Comune di Perugia, Comune di Cattolica, Acquario di Cattolica-Le Navi. Dream Engine, the event organizer is assisted by Federazione Motociclistica Italiana, and the technical support provided by Motoclub Terni “L. Liberati”. The Curve&Tornanti team will guide the Touring Class.

The Motogiro is open to motorcycles authorized for road use of all marques and is divided into three classes: The Vintage Racing Class, Touring Class, and Taglioni Memorial Class.

Vintage Racing Class
With an overall limit of 120 participants, this class features motorbikes of up to 175cc manufactured prior to 1957. Competitors in the Vintage Racing Class will be subject to timed, competitive ability tests en-route. Motorbikes are selected on a case-by-case basis, judged based on the receipt of photographs of the bike. Motorbikes inspired by original Motogiro bikes yet manufactured subsequent to 1957 may also apply.

Taglioni Memorial Class
In its third consecutive year, the Taglioni Memorial Class highlights the decade in which Ducati engineer Fabio Taglioni created his legendary 2 cylinder motorbikes. This class is open to street legal and insured motorbikes and sidecars of all marques, 250 cc or higher, produced between 1968 and 1978. Competitors in this class take part in ability trials.

Touring Class
For riders of newer bikes, this class is designed for those who wish to participate in the excitement of the Motogiro on a non-competitive basis. The Touring class follows the same itinerary as the Vintage Racing and Taglioni Memorial Class but at a more relaxed pace. The touring class is open to all street legal and insured motorbikes of all marques and cc.

For further information and registration, please contact:

Dream Engine
Via Saffi 4
40131 Bologna
Italia
tel. +39 051 6494472
fax +39 051 5286378
email: [email protected]
www.motogiroditalia.com