Ducati.Net Photo Gallery - Vicki's View
Sicily. If places bring to mind colors, than this place is bright sea blue with some deep orange thrown in for highlight. In May Sicily is in full bloom - wildflowers and wildly flavorful fruit are everywhere you turn. Toss in some Italian motorcycles and you have the recipe for this years Motogiro d'Italia which returned to the island at the tip of Italy for the second time this year. The highlight of this years route was Mount Etna, a must see place if there ever was one. Currently active it was kind enough to misbehave on the other side of the mountain, leaving our route and viewing pleasure uninterupted. The 2007 event began for us at the NCR workshop (see the gallery here: http://ducati.smugmug.com/gallery/2835303 ) with a story that began two years ago. It's about a man, a dream and one fast little bike.........
Photos by Vicki Smith
Photos by Vicki Smith
Modern rentals were arranged from Ducati among other sources. Ducati's participation has been the heart of this event from the beginning, both historically and in spirit since the modern recreation in 2000. Most riders prefer to ride a Ducati, it just seems like the best way to be close to the historical heartbeat of the event.
This Benelli with the custom Rust and Dent paint job (really funny I thought) was entered in the Taglioni Memorial class - bikes from 350cc and up, and newer than the vintage class which ends in 1958 and only goes up to 175cc
Andrew Bremmer proudly displays his state of the art device for timing the Benelli. As you can see, he's a priceless addition to what makes this event unique.
First order of business is registration where you get your race numbers. That's Chris Jensen (founding member of Team Leoni) and Rich Lambrechts mounting the number plates on Chris's bike
Friday night before the event the Vicki Group gathers to meet and greet. This year we were over 40 strong, with many first timers. Here's a couple of the "newbies", Marge and Rick Lambrechts, Rich's parents. It was Marge's birthday, the entire race entry sang her happy birthday directed by Paolo Rossi, the race director who came to the table to sing for her.
Anyone who has ridden this event on a little bike knows this picture well. The only way to pass the trucks that litter Italy and the route is to get a few feet from the bumper and hang there sticking your head out and looking for a gap in traffic. With only 12 or so horsepower passing is an art and science. I've done it so many times I look at this photo and I can smell the exhaust and feel the heat of the truck.
Eric Clarke. In this story he's the "trusting soul". We met Eric at a car show in Boca and a couple of months later he's wired vast sums to a total stranger in Italy, flown halfway across the world and takes his first ride on a vintage Ducati on the Sicilian mainland. That grin is all we last saw of him.
Eric and Rich, Day 2.
Sicily is known for it's difficult route, the challenges make the event more satisfying in a way, and keep you on your toes. That's Rick Hammond from Canada riding past a brush fire.
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