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From the MV Agusta PR:
Claudio Castiglioni, 64 years old and President of MV Agusta Motor S.p.A. passed away this morning in Varese, Italy after a courageous battle against an illness.
The man who personally elevated the Italian motorcycle industry to its current role as world leader and the businessman who excelled with MV Agusta, Cagiva, Ducati and Husqvarna brands has left us.
After his experience in the family business’s specializing in metalworking and manufacturing, in 1978 Castiglioni founded the company Cagiva which continually developed new and innovative motorcycles that have influenced the direction of the Italian and world motorcycle markets through the 1980’s and 1990’s.
Intuitive, tenacious, and a true visionary: these qualities drove Claudio Castiglioni to purchase the historic brands like Ducati, Husqvarna and MV Agusta. Coupled with his vision, diligence, hard work and financial investment these brands have once again become the protagonist of the two wheeled market.
Claudio Castiglioni has given us some of the most important motorcycles ever built, personifying performance, elegance and style: Cagiva Elefant and Mito, Ducati 916 and Monster as well as the MV Agusta F4 and Brutale. Finally, the President crafted the latest jewels in every detail, a testament to his insatiable passion for motorcycles: the MV Agusta F3 and Brutale 675.
Racing has always been one of his greatest passions, and his forays into competition have resulted in success at every level of world championship racing. With Cagiva came the titles of World Motocross Champion as well as the triumphs in the most enduring desert race, the Paris-Dakar. Also with Cagiva were the numerous successes in the 500 GP class. Ducati, under his guidance, dominated entire seasons of the World Superbike Championship thanks to models such as the 851 and 916. Finally, Husqvarna acquired a number of World Championships in Enduro, Motocross and Supermotard.
At the very center of his personal and professional history there is MV Agusta, to which he dedicated over 15 years creating motorcycles which have come to be considered the world wide icon for style and exclusivity as well as representing excellence Made in Italy. With the MV Agusta motorcycles, nothing was ever left to chance, the smallest details were reviewed and revised hundreds of times in order to create motorcycles that are simply unique, personifying perfection. Behind every detail, there are the ideas, heart and soul of Claudio Castiglioni.
For the past year, the President has left the guidance of MV Agusta to his son Giovanni, who has been by his side during many of the battles that have formed the story of the manufacture in Varese. These challenges, day after day, constructed and invisible fabric that was so well woven by this truly unique person and businessman. Giovanni, with the same passion and tenacity as his father, from this day forth will continue to create what Claudio Castiglioni described as “the most beautiful motorcycles in the world”.
The funeral will take place Friday August 19th at 14:00 in the Church of the Brunella in via Crispi, Varese (Italy).
PR ends...
Another legend leaves us behind...maybe he will be able to host a race team with Gary Nixon, who joins on The Other Side...
RIP
Claudio Castiglioni Has Died
MORE Afternoon Moto News - Husqvarna Story & Phillip Island WSBK
Husqvarna nearly died while under the control of Cagiva, but instead the marque is on its way back to its historic importance in the dirt-racing world. Cagiva did do some great work getting the company solvent again within the last five or six years, and that was enough to interest BMW. So, the Germans have taken the reigns and done some awesome work to the Husky products and they are selling everywhere now...how did this all happen, well take the link and read the story.
http://tinyurl.com/ylbftbl
The Phillip Island circuit in Australia has signed up with the World Superbike Championship to host an event there until 2014. Also, the track will be the location of pre-season tests for the next two seasons. Of course, this was expected, but it is always nice to have confirmation.
http://tinyurl.com/yj5rafw
MORE Afternoon Moto News - Oberdan Bezzi & Dirico Motorcycles
Designer Oberdan Bezzi has worked with the great motorcycle marques - Ducati, Cagiva, Aprilia, Benelli and Moto Guzzi - during his time. And, it is very likely that you have seen some of his sketches on various motorcycle websites and in many magazines. He is a very creative and makes some designs which demonstrate perfectly the passion he has for motorcycles - just look through them! For a quick interview, please take the link.
http://tinyurl.com/yaw3lgz
Dirico Motorcycles has teamed up with Aerosmith front man Steven Tyler to create three Aerosmith 'Dream On' Pro-Street custom motorcycles for the Ohio Lottery. Each will be emblazoned with Aerosmith logos and the signatures of the entire band. They will be given away in a special scratch-and-win lottery game in Ohio. For all the details, please take the link and get your tickets when they are available!
http://tinyurl.com/y8brvz5
Even More New Year's Eve News from the Moto World
Let's start with some very rare motorcycles for sale...
The blog Rare SportBikes for Sale has listed an incredible collection up for sale. From a classic MV Agusta 850SS to a Ducati 900SS and even a Cagiva Mito! Only some prices are mentioned, but you can expect the very rare ones to sell for somewhere in the 5 to 6 digits - if only I had a trust fund! Please take a look and you might find something you want and can afford...
http://tinyurl.com/ychte3u
We also have a quick note about yet another BMW recall. Almost all models of the F650GS and F800GS - at least those made between January 2008 and January 2009 (which includes model years 2008 - 2010) - are being recalled to fix a stalling problem. Have a look...
http://tinyurl.com/yafnda2
We are also reminded of the 19th Annual MidAmerica Vintage Motorcycle Auction in Las Vegas. It will be held from 7 - 9 January 2010 and will include several machines from all eras of motorcycle production, but with special focus on the 1970's and 1980's Japanese motorcycles. If you can get there, GO!
http://tinyurl.com/ybmavbk
Three Excellent Customs from 2009
Yep, a short post for a change.
Giacomo Agostini Has Put His Moto2 Project on Hold
Ago is taking a 'wait and see' approach to entering the Moto2 Championship series. According to him, he is in no hurry to get back into racing; he simply wants to be sure he and his team can be competitive and he wants to be sure there will be no serious limitations. So, maybe in 2011 we will see him running a World Championship team - I sure hope he does come back to at least run a team!
http://tinyurl.com/ycpett4
P.S. It is also possible that he is waiting for something else from the folks at MV Agusta/Cagiva due to the increase in displacement in the MotoGP class - imagine MV Agusta back in MotoGP!
Rumored Sale of Ducati and MV Agusta
This is only coming from an individual who was recently in Italy and paid close attention to the news and some people who may actually know this stuff. It seems that Ducati may indeed get purchased by VW - at least some 50% of the company. Fiat is also back in negotiations to potentially buy 50% of the Bologna manufacturer. It has also been said that Fiat is seriously considering purchasing MV Agusta and Cagiva from H-D - that would make things interesting, for sure!
http://tinyurl.com/ylqqsp3
Giacomo Agostini May Enter Moto2 Team - With Cagiva
It may very well happen, if they can get the sponsorship money. Ago and Claudio Castiglioni may work together to field an entry in the new 250GP replacement, Moto2. Can you imagine what that would be like? I hope it would not be some half-hearted attempt at publicity. Though, seeing some of what Ago can do, and not to mention the number of very talented people he knows well, I think that he would be able to run a rather good team.
http://tinyurl.com/y8qae5s
PR: MV Agusta Group Has Great Success at EICMA 2009
GREAT SUCCESS for MV AGUSTA GROUP at EICMA 2009
Varese, 16 November 2009 – Great success for MV Agusta Group on the 67th International Motorcycle Show which ended last Sunday at the exhibition centre in Milan.
Fervour was felt at MV Agusta and Cagiva stand by the large audience, who felt to be fascinated for the first live viewing of the new F4 and Brutale. F4, in its technical and aesthetic contents, is the extreme synthesis of sportsmanship, performances and design. Brutale, presented in double version: 990 R and 1090RR, renovates and enriches the technological contents with a strong personality and the distinctive style of the bike that has by now become an icon of Made in Italy in the world.
The new models have been so appreciated as to collect orders by far higher than the expectations in the few days of the event.
The great success was therefore confirmed with the real interest of the sales network, of the customers and of the passionate audience.
The guests, passionate of the MV Agusta brand, were so many who visited our stand.
Among the most cheered guests were the ever much awarded rider Giacomo Agostini, the showgirl Belen Rodriguez, Prince Emanuele Filiberto of Savoy and the football World Champion Marco Materazzi.
Will Ducati Become a Volkswagen Company?
VW has been running around the world buying up transportation companies to add to their already HUGE list of owned subsidiaries. They already own the known brands - VW, Audi, Porsche, Bugatti - and they are after Suzuki of Japan as well. They have spoken of taking on Ducati back in 1985, but that did not go through. Ducati has been owned by numerous groups over the years - it was only barely saved by Cagiva - and they are having some financial issues due to the worldwide economic crisis, so they are ripe for a takeover...Will it happen? We will have to wait until the backroom talks become public.
http://tinyurl.com/yzfukg4
Italian Motorcycle Owner's Club Rally - 13 September 2009 in Sturbridge, Massachusetts
The 26th Annual Italian Motorcycle Owner's Club Rally will be held on Sunday, September 13th at the Hamilton Rod & Gun Club in Sturbridge, Mass.
This is America's largest and oldest all-Italian Motorcycle event. Vespa is the featured marque this year.
Admission still only $5 per person. Proceeds will benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. And the weather forecast shows exactly 0% chance of precipitation!
Visit http://www.imocusa.com for more details. Or call Steven Rossi at (860) 873-2999.
Made by MV Agusta - the New Cagiva Mito SP525
Though this comes from Singapore, this review is an interesting overview of the Cagiva. If only they imported them to the US...
http://tinyurl.com/mmrfj2