Motor Bike Expo: the greatest passion for motorbikes bursts with 150.000 visitors!
Best in show 2015 is 199 RP of Asso Special Bike.
All the scores of the contests.
Special guest (Abbiati, Magnini, Pascale) falling in love with the custom world!
Alex de Angelis with Aprilia in Moto GP. Alfonsi is back to SBK with Ducati.
VERONA – More than 150.000 visitors joined the Motor Bike Expo 2015 in Verona for three special days. The unique and greatest custom show in Europe ended with
10.000 more participants compared to 2014.
The CEO of Veronafiere, Ettore Riello, states: ‘The success of this edition /confirm/is
the record of Motor Bike Expo among the several bike shows! A great unique format
puts together more than 600 companies (from the largest well-known houses to the
custom garages with the most important customizers), sport, accessories, shows and
clothing’.
‘It’s a successful fulfillment of a very hard work carried out in the past 20 years by
Paola Somma, me and our fantastic staff’, says proudly Francesco Agnoletto,
Project Manager of MBE. ‘We work 362 days a year to grant a perfect three-day a
show in Verona, looking after the creation, planning, and finally the realization of the
entire event. We look into the future with our son Federico, who will shortly be part of
the team, and we keep on testing the new trends to catch the desires and interests of our public. This is why we added new sectors such as tourism, environment
sustainability, second-hand market and the famous Café Racer’.
The three-day event was bright, sunny and full of bike enthusiasts who joined the
show especially for the presence of legendary guests, for the special parade through
the old town of Verona, and for the conclusion of the several contests of the custom
world.
From the 23rd to the 25th of January bike lovers have been able to enjoy the
fantastic 2-wheel world, starting from the standard production to the best
customizations; from the largest clothing and accessory factories to the smallest
atelier with handmade exclusive creations.
Live shows at Veronafiere! Several live competitions with the world top organizers,
racers and teams. From mototourism and sustainable mobility to the activities of the
small motoclubs and the voulonteer associations who give life to this dynamic and
sparkling world.
Motor Bike Expo is able to personify the spirit of the racers, those who aim to know the latest news and to face with other bike enthusiasts.
THE OFFICIAL MOTORCYCLES COMPANIES
The list of the most prestigious companies officially attending the MBE2015 is very long and includes the return of Ducati, one of the top legendary names, famous for the reliable original expression of Italian design and quality more then Moto Guzzi,
focusing on the new V7 II
The new baby-born Brand within the top attending companies is Scrambler Ducati
and it has revealed the first 3 Custom Scramblers, realized by three very important
Italian manufacturers who interpreted the versions Full Throttle, Urban Enduro and
Classic. In an informal, almost familiar, but full of curiosity and passion has staged the official presentation, the world premiere of the three special realized by Deus Ex
Machina, by Officine Mermaid and Mr. Martini on Ducati Scrambler, a brand that is already an absolute phenomeno. The brief given to the three customizers was clear:
freedom of interpretation, according to their own style, the three versions and so Deus has proposed his own idea of Full Throttle, Mermaid interpreted the Urban
Enduro while Mr. Martini has realized its Classic. The result has largely convinced
the audience that crowded the area Ducati Scrambler, /confirm/iing the strong
personality that this iconic bike is able to express and versatility.
Moto Guzzi was officially present for the first time at MBE with a tribute to the
philosophy of this custom event, exhibiting the new 2015 range and the masterpieces
of the customizer Officine Rossopuro, Millepercento and South Garage
presenting their versions of the latest models coming from Mandello del Lario: the V7.
The V7 was accompanied by a wide range of accessories designed for the full
customization, to enable everyone – and with pieces made directly by the Eagle’s
company – to achieve a genuine ‘Special’ thanks to the kits available in four different
interpretations.
BMW Motorrad displayed R nineT, the celebratory bike for 90years of BMW. After
12 months from the official presentation this vehicle was customized many times,
always underlining the classical and essential design and style, wher the joy of driving
is the main focus. Five beautiful Specials realized on BMW R nineT were shown at
Veronafiere.
Peugeot Auto has chosen the Motor Bike Expo as a stage for the presentation of
Peugeot-Bimota project. After the Peugeot-Arlen Ness 2013, the French company
is now introducing a ‘nasty’ RCZ R developed by Motor Quality. This coupé, branded with the unique look of the Italian atelier from Rimini, shows elegance, aggressiveness and technology. The power of the engine 1.6 turbo by RCZ R renamed PB104 goes
up from 270 to 304 HP.
The public also enjoyed the best selecion by Harley-Davidson, Yamaha, Honda,
Hyosung, Kymco, Matchless, Royal Enfield, Fantic Motor, Suzuki and
Vertemati.
WORLD CUSTOM CONFERENCE: THE HEADQUARTER OF CUSTOM
Motor Bike Expo is true to its origins and displays wide spaces (3 entire halls) to
customization, specials and custom tailoring. Five sessions of the unreleased World Custom Conference have been planned during the three days in Verona. It has
been the right opportunity to see wher we stand with trends, international partnerships and studies. The World Custom Conference was born thanks to the collaboration of
Michael Lichter, the most brilliant star of custom photography. It is the final result of a net of international partnerships agreed in the last years by Paola Somma and
Francesco Agnoletto, organizers of MBE.
The public got the chance to meet the most famous customizers and shown great
passion and excitement for the special opportunity. The Italian public is considered the most passionate for the custom world and it is really very interested in every single
detail of the motorcycles on exhibition. An attitude, Motor Bike Expo is really proud
and grateful for. The meetings with Bob Seeger (Indian Larry), Chris Richardson
(LA Speed Shop) and Danny Schneider (Hardnine Choppers), Mario Kyprianides
(Custom Kulture) and Winston Yeh (Rough Crafts), Mike Rabideau (Majik Mike)
and Jody Perewitz (Perewitz Cycle Fab), were definitely great.
Not only customizers but also big players of the custom sector attended the MBE in order to give their official attest during the World Custom Conference symposium:Ray Drea (Style & Design Chief at Harley-Davidson Motor Co.) and Karen Davidson
(Apparel Style Chief of Harley Davidson Motor Co.), Ola Stenegard (Chief Design at BMW Motorrad), Sylvain Berneron (Design Consultant for MV Augusta and BMW
Motorrad) and Andrea Formilli Fendi (Former General Manager of Fendi’s Leather
factory.
Another hot point at MBE was the partnership with Buffalo Chip of Sturgis:
Rod ‘Woody’ Woodruff was in Verona for the presentation of the 75th anniversary of Sturgis rally and the 15th edition of the exhibit ‘Motorcyles as Art’.
CAFÉ RACER
Café racer space at MBE 2015 was double respect of the past year! This new trend is constantly growing and the companies put more and more attention into custom
design. The most well-known brands have displayed their exclusive models both with
the competence of their manufactures and their kit factory. Just a single name to give you an idea of the target: David Borras of El Solitario. Another important link is with the french Wheels and Waves and another important presence was the one of Mark Wilsmore of Ace Café London.
A long list of Italian customizers -both for custom than for cafè racer- were present at MBE2015! The best interpreters of the authentic ‘made in Italy’ have shown their best creations, underlining high competence, technology and fantasy which characterize
the Italians since ever!
THE CONTESTS
During the three days in Verona, the professionals, the companies and the
enthusiasts have got the chance to show to the public and to press their personal
creations during the different bike contests.
The newborn magazine Ferro organized the contest Ferro of the year 2015, open
to the emerging garages: 24 one-of-a-kind motorcycles seleced by the editorial office have been exhibited at Hall4. The best special have been judged by the chief editor
Fabio Cormio with Nicola Martini, Giovanni Di Pillo, Ringo, Piero Bracaleone
and Orazio Rocket Garage. The three winning bikes are the Ducati ‘Follia’ of Marco De Vecchi, the ‘Retro Motard’ based on Honda XR 600 of Victor Balada and the
Ducati ‘Augh’ of Marco Fedele. A special prize has been reserved by the jury to the
Ducati Scrambler realized by Officine Mermaid.
Yamaha launched a contest, among authorized retailers, for the best customization of its XV950. The story of this extraordinary bobber and its incredible custom potentials, carried on with ‘XV950 Garage Challenge’, a new dare among the authorized dealers for the customization of ‘XV950’ willing to express creativity, passion and fantasy. The final result has been a set of 6 incredible special bikes voted online, presented and shown at Yamaha stand during MBE. The podium: first place for New
Venezia Moto of Venice, second place for Twins Bike of Milano and third place for
Motosalone Crea of Teviglio (BG).
Sunday at MBE is traditionally characterized and focused on customizing. There is always a long list of events and the award ceremony ‘Best in Show’, the most beautiful bike of the show.
The final act of the World Custom Conference on Sunday was dedicated to the
Magazine Award, a special contest organized by MBE. A special commission of
expert journalists was in charge of selecing the best motorcycles awarding them with a special plaque. Heinrich Christmann of Dream Machine (Germany) chose Custom
IOE Engine of AB Normal Cycles, Antonio Elia of Biker’s Power (Germany) awarded 199RP (Racing Power) of Asso Special Bike, while Alvaro Cabezas of Custom
Machine(Spain) and Peter Schulz of Easyriders (Germany) both seleced as the best custom the Triumph Nala&Lucky manufactured by the spanish Pedro Sabiote.
The American journalists instead saw Matt Davis of Dice Magazine (USA) award the Harley Davidson Francisca by Italian Chopper #113, Jordan Mastagni of Baggers
the Street Glide FLHX of 2005 and Jeff Holt of Hot Bike preferred the Harley Davidson 38 KnuckleHead of PDF Cycles.
The british magazine Sideburn of Gary Inman rewarded KTM Duke #21 di Jacopo
Monti, while the photographer onno ‘Berserk’ Wieringa (Holland) chose Fiat Abarth
Bike of North Coast Custom.
Another important ceremony was Custom Chrome Europe Italian Championship, awarding three prizes for each of the four categories. Jammer Old School award
was given to Hardnine Choppers (CH) and LA Speed Shop (USA) with the bike Pan
Chopper. RevTech Performance has been won by 199RP (Racing Power) of Asso
Special Bike. The category Modified Harley has been won by Harton of Stile
Italiano and finally, the Championship Class was dominated by Graphite Speedster
of Rough Crafts.
The top date of the day was the Lowride Magazine award, with the usual bike
contest. The passionate fans were not disappointed while waiting for the Best In
Show! Among other categories: winner of the Best Paint category is Flash 1 with
Dyna Super Glyde Sport 2004, and the Ladyprize was awarded to Flathead VL
36/46 by Sandra Froelich (Mc Sand). The Modified category winner is Softail Slim
2015 by H-D on the Road from Naples, and Baggers was assigned to Electra 2005
White Demon by Vallese Garage. Among the Scramblers, the victory is for KTM ‘Six Days’ 2010 by Bike Hospital, and the special prize for the best Café Racer was for
Harton CR1200B by Stile Italiano. Cheiron by Ste Sil Bike was placed first at the top
20 ranking.
But let’s go straight to the main point! The Best In Show 2015 special award ha been given to the spectacular 199RP (Racing Power) by Asso Special Bike. This
incredible motorbike got the nickname ‘eye-catcher’ because it’s really impossible to
be insensible or indifferent. The bike is entirely hand made in pure aluminum, and
powered by a Revtech 1800cc. ‘Mono’ front and rear suspensions, fantastic design,
power and a price of 140.000 euros; this little jewel carved by Carlo Colombo is
the /confirm/iation of excellence, elegance and competence of the ‘made in
Italy’ customization.
THE GUESTS
Guest of honor of the Motor Bike Expo were Francesca Pascale, girlfriend of Silvio
Berlusconi (ex-President of the Council of Ministers), fresh owner of Harley Davidson and lover of the custom world and Filippo Magnini, the Italian swimmer (two times
world champion), who received his ‘70’s Moto Guzzi directly from the customizer Mr. Martini.
The Milan football club goalkeeper Christian Abbiati, instead, presented his HD
Nightstar SIC58 sold at auction through the web site Charity Star. The motorcycle
has been bought by Roberto Tonicello for the amount of 12.000 euros. The funds
were donated to Fondazione Marco Simoncelli onlus, a rehabilitation center for
disabled children in S. Domingo.
Another star joined the show in Verona: Alex de Angelis. After having announced his agreement with the team IodaRacing by Giampiero Sacchi, the thirty-year-old from
San Marino signed other partnerships (Mugen Race for boots, Nitek for helmets) and sponsors for MotoGP. Also Lorenzo Alfonsi has chosen MBE to announce his return to the tricolor Superbike. The thirtyfour-year-old florentine will start the CIV with Ducati of Grandi’s Team. Alfonsi enjoyed some ‘award giving’ to racers he personally follows in their performances, taking care of logistics and sharing with them his knowledge
and experience.
THE OUTDOOR: THE SHOWS
The MBE public was able to enjoy plenty of incredible shows such as the stuntmen
from the amusement park Mirabilandia and the performances of Mini Moto by
Federmoto. Area A hosted the First MBE International Stunt Competition, a specific
contest for professional stuntmen, organized by Stuntman Show, protagonist of the
show in Mirabilandia. After three long days of events and special shows, the 1ST MBE International Stunt Competition Contest had a winner: Martin Krathy from Czec Republic. Second place for Mike Jensen (Denmark), third place for Rafal Kanik
(Poland) and fourth place for Juanan del Fresno (Spain). The jackpot to the winners
was awarded by Alex de Angelis and offered by MBE in partnership with Subito.it.
about Kevin Carmichael, stunt champion. Born in Scotland, started to ride at 7 years old. He began his career with motocross but later he discovered acrobatic
performances on bike and became one of the most important acrobatic riders with his beloved Triumph. Kevin rides a Scrambler, the K31, specifically prepared upon
Triumph request by a venetian company The Free Spirit from Carre’(VI). An incredible list of awards, success and worldwide shows make this guy a very bright star!
Carmichael has a very dynamic, fluent, unique driving style. He was the first one to
rear up a superbike with no fork and front wheel (carrying a passenger), he invented
and used the rear brake-lever moved to the handlebars. His burnouts are still
unreachable! Kevin was one of the authentic stars of MBE2015!
MOTOR BIKE EXPO AND THE HISTORY OF MOTORCYCLISM
This new 2015 edition had an important link with the history of motorbikes. A new
Italian brand team had its debut. Giovanni Laverda officially presented Laverda
Corse Italia, a new group whose members are joined together by passion,
enthusiasm and friendship. The new Laverda team will be animated by people who
had been working together in the ‘60’s, creating the famous medium and
high-powered Laverda bike. Some mythical models have been displayed at
MBE 2015.
MOTOTOURISM
MBE 2015 has exhibited a special Touring Area for the enthusiasts and bike lovers.
Several tour operators offered a wide choice of different trips, ranging from warm
Africa to wild exotic destinations and more domestic shorter trails but still very
interesting. Beside the tours, the public had the chance to choose between a great
selecion of Italian destinations: Sardinia and Ogliastra, the food trails and gentle rolling hills of Leonardo’s Tuscany, the uncontaminated landscape of Cuneo in the north of
Italy, rich in art and history. Another Italy to discover! At the fair the best proposals for Moto-friendly hotels and lodges, both for those who aim to travel in small groups as
well as for those who prefer to travel on their own.
MOTOR BIKE EXPO AND THE TERRITORY
MBE is really tied to its territory: the main square Piazza Bra has been the starting line of the second edition of the motorbike city tour of Sunday, sponsored by Vivere la
Moto. Since 2010, this association promotes safety and solidarity among the bikers.
The tour twisted along the main streets in the center of Verona, including some stops
for taking pictures till the entrance to the fair.
The Verona show also repeated for 2015 the experiment with the high school local
students. The seminary called Motor Bike Education, dedicated to mechanical
engineering, involved 250 students getting the chance to follow the presentation of
Tacita (electric moto completely made in Italy) more then the Dakar project, involving the IPSIA Marconi school from Prato and the IPSIA Leon Battista Alberti school from Rimini, for the realization of a motorcycle and a team who will take part to Dakar 2016. Testimonial of the event was Enea Bastianini, young promise of Moto3. Some
students from the local Angelo Berti Chef and Maitre Ospitality School have been active part at the show on supporting the Touring and Meeting Areas.
HIGHLIGHTS
Motul, the French worldwide company specialized in the production and distribution of high tech lubricants (cars, motorcycles and other vehicles), presented during the MBE the exclusive preview of a new motorcycle lubricant line called ‘Powerful’. Motul Powerful is the right product for road and off-road bikes, scooters and ATV, snowmobiles, karts and wave-runners. This new line displays 44 lubricant products divided into 3 different sectors: competition, freetime and city.
First preview from Bitubo: after the launch of ‘All Black’ line of rear shocks, the venetian company offers a new range of forks specifically developed for H-D world, Café Racer and Triumph. It won’t be only about the usual refinement which allows several solutions and adjustments, but also about an extra focus on design, and, last but not least, a very affordable price.
MBE2015 also has hosted the presentation of the Team Pata Honda Superbike,
official team of the World Superbike Championship and the presentation of CIV,
the Italian Speed Championship. Beside the world champions Syilvain Guintoli
and Michael Van Der Mark the public also enjoyed the presence of the young French promising star Loris Baz, Motul testimonial, fifth place at world Superbike 2014 and
now going to begin with Moto GP on his Yamaha-Forward. Furthermore Ruben
Xaus and Romano Ramos who, together with the Italian Christian Gamarino,
will enliven the presentation of Team Go Eleven 2015.
The list of award ceremonies and presentations is almost endless. Let’s just
remember some of them such as National Trophy and Yamaha R125 Cup: both
official partners of MBE. Something to report is the official presence of Misano World Circuit ‘Marco Simoncelli’, who will introduce his sport program 2015, the Flat
Track, the Fidelity card (with discounts and benefits), and the trial calendar with the
latest innovation allowing the users to pay only for the time actually spent on the track.
A particular stand we could not miss is the legendary Doctor Claudio Costa, ‘father’ of the mobile clinic and guardian angel of hundreds of racers. He will meet the public
and talk about his life, his extraordinary experiences, without forgetting those included in his book ‘Magic Marquez’.
The association Donne in Sella, a staff of 12 people including 4 instructors, offered
very interesting riding lessons and ride tests to more than 200 beginner women.
Finally, the Third Flight Formation from Villafranca will be at the Air Force stand and will give plenty info about the job and meteorology, giving the chance to get weather
forecast in real time. A flight simulator has got the purpose to entertain visitors
giving the same sensation of flying on the Frecce Tricolori (Tricolor Arrows), the
acrobatic team of the Italian Air Force.
