Motor Bike Expo 2022, the public and exhibitors reward the love for two wheels and motorcycles are back as protagonists at the Verona Fair.
The Motor Bike Expo ended Sunday with the launch of a strong sign of optimism in the motorcycle and tourism sector. The quality of the visitors has characterized the Veronese exhibition since the first day.
With 600 exhibitors, 8 pavilions busy, 94 scheduled events su four days, Motor Bike Expo has achieved all the objectives compatible with the regulations in force. Among the most significant moments of the event, the ribbon cutting of the President of the Region Veneto, Luca Zaia; the performances of the very Catalan champion of Trial, Toni Bou; and the arrival of the pilot Franco Picco, returning from the Rally Dakar Rally.
Content index
- The Lion of the Desert
- The custom awarded by LowRide magazine
- The Specials without gears
- The historic motorcycles made in the USA
- Dust'nSardinia, Audax 1000 and the Cagiva Elefant of the 80s
- Social issues
The return of the "Lion of the Desert"
Although there is no time control, Franco Picco showed up punctually at 11 in the FMI hospitality in Pad. 5 of the Motor Bike Expo. The veteran (66 years) Vicenza dei rally-raid he told journalists and enthusiasts about his experience 28th Dakar disputed in Saudi Arabia.
At his debut on the Fantic Rally 450, he went all the way to 8.375 km, with 12 special stages, bringing back the 72nd place overall, 6th in the Veteran over 50 category. a real Dakar, with many kilometers and many difficulties, in which it was important to know how to manage. Especially in the second week, the most treacherous due to the driest surface of the track, what mattered was to think about not breaking the bike ”.
During the ritual photo of the Italian pilots, the stainless "Lion of the desert" met the luxury rookie Danilo Petrucci, who immediately asked him for some advice. “He was limping after his fall on a dune, I told him to be careful, because the race is long and treacherous. Unlike speed on the track, here you can't look for the limit when cornering risking a crash, the important thing is not to make a mistake, ”said Picco. “Perhaps he was penalized by the lack of technical mastery of the motorcycle, for the rest he was fast proving to be able to manage the race and navigation ”.
Just got back in Italy, Franco Picco received the invitation to participate in the Africa Eco Race, scheduled for March. “We have in common with him the perseverance to cross the finish line of the respective races, the Dakar and the 2022 edition of MBE”, commented the organizer Francesco Agnoletto.
All the award-winning custom
The grand finale on Sunday is traditionally linked to the awards given by LowRidemagazine to the custom bikes registered for their bike show. Every kind of custom philosophy and aesthetic has found space and glory on the Main Stage of Pad. 1, in the heart of the Custom District.
At the top of the Check these top 20 the 1946 Harley-Davidson WL built by the Brescia atelier Gallery Motorcycles, in front of the ASB 199 of Asso Special Bike and the HD Shovelhead 1200 of '72, made by the French Pascal Fisher.
Roberto Caputo / RCK-Roll Chop XLH Ironhead Shortster won the Sporty Award.
Best Scrambler to another Sportster, prepared by MC Cycles. American Dreams took home the Best Cafe Racer award thanks to Buell Chemistry, while the dealership BMW Motorrad Aurelia won the Best Modified with the BMW R 18 maxicruiser.
The… good guys don't always win at MBE: in this case, the award for the Best Club Style is the prerogative of the HD Road Glide transformed by the Bad Boys Garage.
The Best Bagger is the Harley-Davidson of the Devil's Garage, while Dox Art Factory has secured the Best Paint award, given to the best paint job.
Low Society's HD Panhead was named Best Bobber, while Best Chopper was awarded to Steve Drieghe's extraordinary HD Knucklehead digger. The Best Free Style was awarded to the unbridled creativity of the Meccanicamente workshop.
Final drum roll for the highly anticipated recognition of the Best of Show, assigned to the bobber of the French manufacturer Stéphane Grand / T4.
The irresistible sympathy of the Specials without gears
Another attraction on Sunday afternoon was the award show of the contest organized by the social page Special Senza Marce, presented by its creator Marcello Parimbelli.
A dozen mopeds and "fifties" quickly won the sympathy of enthusiasts, thanks to the creativity of their customizations. And there was really everything, from the Honda Cub painted in the Rothmans graphics from the 90s GP, to the Honda Shadow with the apehanger club style, to the inevitable Flamed Piaggio Ciao and a very bad Honda Monkey.
However, it was the Garelli III series that Giacomo Zanetti transformed into a vintage under-barrel motorcycle of the 10s. Second, by just one point, the Ciao by Liliana Oliosi, while the Shadow customized by Gianluca Giardina took the third step of the podium.
The opinion leaders of the jury awarded their special prize to Lino Brotto's Vespa Super Special III Series.
Even the historic motorcycles made in the USA take the stage
Alongside the most spectacular custom bikes, even the American “old ladies”, the classic collectible motorcycles, have won the attention of bikers. The audience of MBE he was able to enjoy pieces of absolute value up close.
We start with two o'clock Indian born in 1927 in the small museum stand of Abnormal Cycles, both with 600 cc engines expertly housed on a short frame, to enhance their handling qualities. The classic soul is entirely preserved by the preserved centuries-old painting, by the gas all on the left, by the pedal clutch, manual gearbox and suspension crossbow.
Completely different approach, devoted to integral restoration, for Classic motorcycles, a Brescia-based company born just a year ago that is looking for unique American vintage pieces. Inside their stand you can enjoy the view of one Henderson 4 cylinder 1100 cc from 1919. It is a model always very popular in international auctions.
At his side, one Harley-Davidson with twin cylinder Knucklehead 1000 of '39, also very valuable and sought after by Japanese collectors. The proposal of the Veronese of Sports Department, importers of classic Harley-Davidson and Buells from the 80s and 90s, is focused on the most recent, or limited edition models of historical interest.
Three beautiful youngtimers dominate their stand: one Harley-Davidson Dyna Daytona”From 1992, equipped with the 1340 EVO engine and built in only 1.700 units; a Springer Softail first series 85 anniversary always 1340 EVO produced in only 1450 pieces; it's a Sturgis Shovelhead 1340 cc of 1981.
Dust'nSardinia, Audax 1000 and the Cagiva Elefant of the 80s
On the Dakar Africa MBE stage, the motorcycle club MAAN Motocicli Audaci presented the sixth round of Dust'n Sardinia, the tour dell'Isuledda on-road and off-road reserved for classic and modern scramblers, which will be held from 3 to 5 June.
An announced success, since all the places have already been assigned. The Audax 1000 is scheduled from 2 to 4 September, reserved for 20 cafe racers and specials. A thousand kilometers in three days through the hidden beauty of the Sardegna, with special stages navigated by vintage topographic maps. MAAN Motocicli Audaci will donate the proceeds of the large fund to charity.
In the center of Hall 5, offroad enthusiasts let themselves be carried away by the Dakarian suggestions of Edi Orioli's Cagiva Elefant and Franco Picco's Yamaha, protagonists of the legendary 80's and 90's rally raid season. space of the magazine Fuoristrada d'Epoca.
An exceptional parterre, among which the Cagiva 904 SP first Marathon series of Orioli and Jordi Arcarons at the 1994 Dakar, the replica of the SP II Marathon of the following edition and the Yamaha Super Ténéré of Picco in Chesterfield livery.
Motorcyclists confirm their sensitivity to social issues
When it comes to doing good, humanitarian associations, NGOs and motorcycle clubs do not miss the opportunity to join forces. The initiatives in favor of the less fortunate presented at Motor Bike Expo have raised awareness among motorcyclists on several aspects.
Since 2015, the association Otherwise of Verona every year promotes the Route21 Chromosome on the Road, the tour of Italy by motorbike with the Down boys that combines the creator's passion for Harley-Davidson with his social commitment.
Saturday was presented "In motion with Africa”, The initiative of the Marco Polo Team biker team united by a passion for travel and the desire to be useful to Doctors with Africa CUAMM. It is an Italian organization that has been working on the African continent for over seventy years to guarantee access to care for people living in peripheral and more distant areas.
Even the Vicenza association Energy & Smiles ODV supports SOS Bihac in Bosnia and Herzegovina, to help young migrants survive by delivering them essential supplies of comfort and medical care.
