Milan Motorcycle Show
Suprises and strong emotions characterized the opening day at the 68th EICMA International Bike and Motorcycle Show in Milan, with Silvio Berlusconi attending to demostrate his support.
Preceded by a very entertaining presentation by Ducati in Milan to unveil the new 2011 Diavel, the motorcycle show opened with an unexpected visit from the Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, together with Economic Development Minister Paolo Romani.
Even if media focused on the Italian premier mainly about the current political matters, Berlusconi emphasized the Italian challenge to the international motorcycle market.
Silvio Berlusconi says: “The attitude for innovation and investment by the Italian industry, despite a difficult economic period caused by the crisis, deserves admiration. The challenge is still very open, and we must take China as an ideal target,” explains the Italian Prime Minister.
ANCMA and EICMA President Corrado Capelli was in charge of the welcome greetings, proudly underlining the Milan Motorcycle Show leadership.
“The new products by the over 1100 brands in the most important motor show in the world stand there to testify it,” Capelli stated.
Many new model unveilings happened in the pavillons, as the first two days of the motorcycle show are only opened to press and operators. And, of course, the presence of great World Superbike (Max Biaggi) and MotoGP (Jorge Lorenzo) champions draw the attention from all visitors.
New MotoGP World Champion Jorge Lorenzo, after attending the opening ceremony, visited the Yamaha stand to meet his delighted fans. Lorenzo is already looking at 2011 MotoGP season, when he’ll have to defend his title from the attack of Valentino Rossi, who chose Ducati to pursue the 2011 GP season.
Jorge Lorenzo says: “I would have loved to challenge Valentino on a Yamaha once again. Riding on the same bike you don’t have any excuse, the stronger takes all, and the loser cannot appeal to any technical deficit,” says the Spaniard about the 2011 MotoGP season at the EICMA.
Apart from Ducati, many motorcycle market tycoons like Honda, Piaggio, Aprilia, Suzuki and BMW chose the opening day to present their new motorcycle models.
But the Milan EICMA motorcycle fair has still a lot to give, over a whole week of events, meetings, initiatives and attractions, including the usual MotoLive show: from Thursday on, plenty of chances for motorcycle fans.
