From a press release issued by Ducati North America:

FOR FIRST TIME IN ITS HISTORY, THE MOTOGIRO D’ITALIA WILL EXPLORE THE ISLE OF SICILY IN SOUTHERN ITALY FROM MAY 25-29, 2004

This year’s edition of the Motogiro d’Italia, the historic motorbike competition, will take place in Sicily from May 25-29. Ducati Motor is once again the main sponsor of the event, organized by Dream Engine.

The itinerary has now been confirmed for this year’s Motogiro d’Italia, the historical revival of the pioneering Italian motorbike race started in 1914. The five day event will explore the Isle of Sicily in southern Italy marking the first time in the event’s long history to do so. With the last three revival editions covering the central and northern parts of the Italian peninsula, this spring’s itinerary will mark an exciting change, as participants witness the costal and inland glories of this rugged and mystical island. The Motogiro d’Italia consists of five day’s of riding with an average of 250 km each day.

The itinerary is as follows:

Mon., May 24 Preliminary preparations will take place in a hotel (exact address to be confirmed) located in Civitavecchia, 2 kilometres from the port, followed by the ferry departure in the afternoon. For those who want to leave their vehicles behind, there will be an insured parking lot available nearby. Participants must complete preliminary preparations by 6:00pm, as participants must be at Civitavecchia port by then.

Participants depart by ferry from mainland port of Civitavecchia (near Rome) to Palermo, Sicily. The overnight transfer will be made by Grimaldi Cruise Ferries.

Tuesday, May 25 DEPARTURE OF MOTOGIRO

1st leg: Palermo-Bagheria, Cefalù, Castelbuono, Pollina Along each leg of the tour throughout the Motogiro, rest stations will be set up with snacks and refreshments.

Wednesday, May 26 2nd leg: Pollina, Alimena, Caltavuturo, Pollina

Thursday, May 27 3rd leg: Pollina, Cerda, Corleone, Terrasini

Friday, May 28 4th leg: Terrasini, Erice,Trapani, Marsala, Terrasini

Saturday, May 29 5th leg:Terrasini, Piana degli Albanesi, Montelepre, Mondello. Departure to Civitavecchia The customary gala dinner and prize giving ceremony will take place on board the ferry, in transit to Civitavecchia.

The Motogiro d’Italia has grown steadily since its revival in 2001 and all four editions have been made possible by the event’s main sponsor Ducati Motor. Today, the event enjoys enthusiastic participation of hundreds of vintage motorcyclist from around the world. The Motogiro d’Italia has become a critical date on the international motorcycling calendar, welcoming riders from the original 1950’s edition of the Motogiro—including Giuliano Maoggi, Remo Venturi, and Leopoldo Tartarini—who have all returned as guest participants riding the finest in Italian vintage machinery, including motorbikes by Ducati, Morini, Moto Guzzi, Benelli, MV Agusta, Bianchi, Gilera, Motobi.

The number of participants has increased since 2001 (with 250 participants) to the 350 participants that came for the 2003 edition and are expected for the 2004. For 2004, 150 participants have already enrolled and at least another 250 are expected to join in, making an estimated total of 400 participants. The international event welcomes motorcycle enthusiasts from around the globe, including: Great Britain, Germany, France, Holland, Sweden, USA, Canada, Australia, South Africa and Japan.

The Motogiro d’Italia is proud to have the generous support of Ducati Motor as its main sponsor for the fourth consecutive year. The event is also made possible by the support of: Motociclismo d’Epoca, Corriere dello Sport-Stadio, Shell, Marzocchi, Presidenza Regione Siciliana, Assessorato Regionale al Turismo, Provincia Regionale di Palermo, AAPIT (Azienda Autonoma Provinciale per l’Incremento Turistico di Palermo), and the Comune di Palermo.

The Motogiro d’Italia 2004 is organized by Dream Engine, the Bologna-based entertainment company. Techincal support for the Motogiro is provided by the Terni Motoclub “L. Liberati” and the Italian Motorcycle Federation provides additional assistance. For the Touring Class, Dream Engine counts on the technical collaboration and expertise of the experienced professionals on the Curve&Tornanti team.

The Motogiro is open to motorcycles of all marques and is divided into three classes: the Vintage Racing Class, Taglioni Memorial Class and Touring 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. The winner of this class will take home a custom-designed “Motogiro 2004” motorbike. 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 and cc produced between 1968 and 1978. Competitors in this class take part in ability trials and the winner will take home a special prize.

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. New rule for Touring Class 2004: entrants will be divided into groups of 25 bikes and assigned a group leader who will act as a guide and provide instructions which must be adhered to at all times.

For general information and registration forms please contact:

Dream Engine
Via Saffi 4 – 40131 Bologna – Italia
Tel. +39 051 6494472 – Fax +39 051 5286378
email: [email protected]