Adding to the already long list of motorcycle related events along the California central coast, this year's U.S. Moto GP will attract a new event - Motogiro America, an offshoot of Motogiro d'Italia in Bologna, Italia. The event is held in picturesque Monterey, California, in the week leading up to Moto GP.
Motogiro d'Italia and Motogiro America are an incarnation of the Giro Motociclistico d'Italia, which began in 1914, and developed a reputation for its "daring open road excitement and true competitive spirit."
Motogiro Rally 08 begins at Monterey's Cannery Row (Photo: Steve Bradford)
The Motogiro d'Italia rally and 'moto concorso' reached its peak in the mid 1950s, and was a premier showcase for the famous Italian lightweight motorcycle manufacturers of the day.
Motogiro America Events
The kickoff for the first annual Motogiro America began on Friday, July 11th, with a symposium on the future of motorcycle design. On Saturday, July 12th MidAmerica Auctions held a Vintage Motorcycle Auction and display at One Portola Plaza in downtown Monterey, featuring approximately 150 vintage and classic historic Italian motorcycles.
2008 Motogiro Rally & Auction at the Portola Plaza in Monterey, California
Legendary local racer Wayne Rainey was in attendance, signing autographs. Among the rare vintage Italian bikes that were present on Saturday, some of the standouts of the pre-MotoGiro show were a very rare 1953 Riedel Imme R100 German scooter, and rare vintage Ferrari, and Maserati motorcycles.
On Sunday, July 13th, Motogiro also held an informal 'Moto Concorso' display of lightweight Italian race bikes, and Italian scooters along Monterey's Fishermans Wharf and Cannery Row, near the Monterey Aquarium.
This inaugural Motogiro America event brought out such legendary racers, riders, and journalists as Giuliano Maoggi, Cook Neilson, Wayne Rainey, Dave Edwards (Cycle World Editor-in-Chief) and Ramo Venturi.
Motogiro Rally
The 5-day Motogiro-America timed-tour rally begins on Sunday, July 13th, starting on Cannery Row, traveling to Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca for one lap, then a scenic tour of the Salinas Valley's Steinbeck country.
Motogiro America Rally timed start (Photo: Steve Bradford)
On Monday the Rally began by traveling south along Hwy 1, down the Big Sur coast to Paso Robles, then winding through the rolling California countryside. Over the next three days, Motogiro explored the endless twisting back-roads of the Central Coast.
Motogiro America Rally starting-line at Cannery Row (Photo: Steve Bradford)
The Rally returned to Monterey on Thursday afternoon, July 17th, concluding at the official time check, located on the grounds the Hyatt Regency, Monterey. Over the coarse of five days, the Motogiro Rally averaged around 250 kilometers per day, covering a total of around 1,300 kilometers - a truly punishing experience on such dated machinery.
Motogiro America's 'Vintage Racing Class' showcases the lightweight Italian 'tiddler' motorbikes that were manufactured before 1957, and is limited to 120 bikes, with a maximum displacement of 175cc.
Motogiro America Rally finish line
The Motogiro Rally has a total of six classes for the tour, consisting of the aforementioned Vintage Class (75cc to 175cc, up to 1957), a Super Sport Class (up to 250cc and 1968), a Super 70s Class (all marques, up to 1000cc, up to 1979), a Scooter Class (all marques, all sizes; up to 1979), a Tourist class (all brands, all sizes, all years), and a Side Car Class (all marques up to 900cc, up to 1979).
Motogiro America Rally final time check
The Monterey Penninsula
The Monterey Penninsula is home to some of the country's premier car and motorcycle events such as the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, AMA Superbike, and USGP Moto GP, but the region also boasts some of the world's most scenic and challenging motorcycle roads. All of this makes the Central Coast region the ideal geographic location to host this new event.
Motogiro America Event Links
Motogiro America - Motogiro D'Italia in Monterey, CA
MidAmerica Auctions
Motogiro America Blog
Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca
USGP Red Bull US MotoGP in Laguna Seca
Monterey Peninsula Tourist Attractions, Hotels, & Restaurants
