From a press release issued by Ducati North America:

THE MOTOGIRO D’ITALIA 2004 EXPLORES INNOVATIVE ITINERARY ON THE ISLE OF SICILY IN SOUTHERN ITALY FROM MAY 25-29, 2004

The fourth edition of the historic revival of Italy’s oldest motorcycle competition is organized by Dream Engine and generously sponsored for the fourth consecutive year by Ducati Motor.

Dream Engine is proud to announce that this year’s Motogiro d’Italia will be held on the isle of Sicily from May 25-29, 2004. The 2004 edition marks the fourth consecutive year of the revival of Italy’s oldest timed motorcycle road race, which was originally started in 1914. By the 1950’s, the event had become the ultimate showcase for Italian motorcycle manufacturers and the Motogiro d’Italia was part of every fan’s motorcycling lexicon.

The Motogiro 2004 is excited to chart new territories on the southern isle of Sicily. Participants will have the unique opportunity to experience this majestic and magical region of Italy on two wheels. With the last three editions of the Motogiro d’Italia held in central and northern Italy, the opportunity to explore Sicily an exciting prospect.

The 5-day itinerary will cover a total of approximately 1,250 kilometres (an average of 250 km per day) and will pass through many of Sicily’s most breathtaking roads*, touching on the Sicilian coast and exploring the island’s more demanding inland routes.

As in previous editions, participants in the Touring Class will also be able to admire sites of cultural and artistic interest. (*N.B. A detailed itinerary will be published closer to the date). Special events will be held throughout the itinerary and each day of riding will close with a delicious dinner featuring local specialities. The logistics of travelling to the island require all participants and motorbikes to travel on the designated ferry boat on May 24th from Civitavecchia (the main port just outside of Rome) to Sicily. On May 29th, a gala dinner will be held on the return ferry trip, marking the end of the event. The nights of the 24th and the 29th will be spent on the ferry but all riding will be in Sicily.

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, Presidenza Regione Siciliana, Provincia Regionale di Palermo, AAPIT (Azienda Autonoma Provinciale per l’Incremento Turistico di Palermo), Comune di Palermo, and Marzocchi.

Since the first revival of the event in 2001, each Motogiro d’Italia has witnessed a more passionate following, with many participants from around the globe returning year after year. Entrants in the last three editions have included champions from the Motogiro Golden Years in the 1950’s—including Giuliano Maoggi, Remo Venturi, and Leopoldo Tartarini—all riding the best names in Italian motorcycles, such as Ducati, Morini, Moto Guzzi, Benelli, MV Agusta, Bianchi, Gilera, Motobi. Participation in the Motogiro has grown at an incredible pace, with numbers leaping from 120 in 2001, to 250 in 2002 and 350 in 2003.

The last three years of the Motogiro d’Italia have proved the event’s unique appeal. Participants aged from 25-80 have arrived from all five continents, coming to test their riding skills and experience the Motogiro thrill. There has also been a steady rise in female participants in all classes, with a record of 5 women riding in the Vintage Racing Class last year. Friendly camaraderie is also increasing, with last year marking the first time in Motogiro d’Italia history to see a non-Italian competitor wear the leader’s jersey for a day. In 2004, Dream Engine will welcome 350 participants from Italy, Great Britain, Germany, France, Holland, Sweden, USA, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Japan.

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.

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.

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]