Honda, Gibraltar Race 2022: Renato Zocchi and the Honda CB500X on the third step of the podium in the twin-cylinder category

The pilot Renato Zocchi took part in the Gibraltar Race 2022 riding one Honda CB500X, obtaining an interesting third place in the twin-cylinder ranking and fourth place overall.

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Intending to make up for last year's retirement, after a fall, the expert rider returned once again to the saddle of the compact 48 horsepower Honda twin-cylinder and faced the 12 stages on the programme, competing against opponents riding specialist maxibikes.

A result that rests on Zocchi's experience, regular and constant; but also on the consistency of the Honda CB500X during a challenge characterized by scorching heat, dirt roads and challenging mule tracks. On this occasion, the sixth edition of the well-known adventouring competition, the pilots were involved in the Czech Republic, Poland, Lithuania and Latvia, starting from Prague to reach the capital of the Czech Republic. Departures were expected at dawn with daily distances of approximately 500 km to go, according to the information.

In the story of the experience, problems were reported with a cable of the navigator's antenna and several penalties in the first two days, before the recovery supported by the reliability of the Honda CB500X and up to the achievement of third in the twin-cylinder category and fourth place absolute.

The expert rider from Lombardy has a past in motocross and was the first official Cagiva rider, third in the World Championship and multiple national champion. He also won the challenging Rally dei Pharaoni, came second in the Bahia 1000 and took part in the Paris Dakar, appearing among the first in the ranking. Furthermore he can be considered a veteran of the Gibraltar Race, having won numerous special trials in different editions. In fact, Zocchi won class 2019 on another Honda model, the X-ADV, at the 2 Gibraltar Race.

Renato Zocchi astride the CB500X will also be present in other adventouring events until the end of the year, enthusiasts will be able to meet him and admire the special version of the Honda crossover set up for off-roading at the next event in EICMA, the international two-wheel exhibition scheduled at Rho Fiera Milano between 08 and 13 November 2022.

The Honda CB500X has been modified to tackle the most challenging off-road terrain. The chassis and engine are standard, with suspensions suitable for off-road use with Honda, Öhlins by Andreani Group and AirTender by UmbriaKinetics components and a high-performance SC Project exhaust. The modifications were made in the Honda workshop of the Moto Macchion dealership in Legnano, where Stefano Lucenti carried out and coordinated the work.

On this occasion we also thank the staff of Honda Italia Industriale, in particular Fausto Giancristofaro for the livery of the motorbike and Francesco Simone for the technical support. The tires are Bridgestone AdventureCross shod on Bartubeless spoked rims.

Photo: Honda Motor Europe Ltd. – Italy