Motor Bike Expo: the photos and the point after the second day

Motor Bike Expo – The positive trend of attendance continues in the pavilions of Motor Bike Expo, the exhibition dedicated to motorbikes in all its forms and open until Sunday 21 January at Veronafiere. Among the novelties of this edition is KTM's debut at the MBE, which is presented in pavilion 7 – dedicated to off-road and adventure – with the standard bikes and with a certain 450 SX-F with plate number 222: it is that of the MX GP world champion Tony Cairoli, nine times world champion in his career. Next to it, the other world champion KTM 250 ECX-F of Spaniard Josep Garcia, 2017 Enduro world champion.

KTMs aren't the only winning bikes featured in 7: Honda Red Moto lines up the CRF 250R of Davide Guarneri and Davide Soreca, Italian enduro champions in the E2 and EJ categories; and the CRF 450R of Alessandro Lupino, 2017 tricolor in MX1. From dirt to track, the Targa Florio Motociclistica shows off none other than the three-cylinder MV Agusta of Giacomo Agostini, 500 1967 world champion, which belongs to Fausto Zanetti's collection. In pavilion 6 the Paton S1-R Lightweight is the emerald in the crown of SC-Project, owner of the Milanese brand. The S1-R triumphed at the 2017 Tourist Trophy with Michael Rutter and with Stefano Bonetti at the IRRC (International Road Racing Championship) in Frohburg. The MBE racing Olympus is worthily completed by the Honda RCV-213 number 93 of Marc Marquez, world champion of MotoGP riders and constructors.

Alongside racing motorbikes, Honda is offering for the first time an X-ADV customization contest reserved for its Italian dealers. In the large space of Hall 6, the maxiscooter from the Adventure range went out of its way to demonstrate its versatility in terms of look and road/off-road use. Also under the spotlight is the queen of Japanese cruisers, the GL 1800 Gold Wing. Born as a maxi roadster in the 70s, the Gold Wing has evolved into a luxury touring vehicle which for 2018 has become even more compact, slim and lightweight. Visitors focused on the rich digital equipment which includes the 7" TFT screen with Apple CarPlay and four Riding Modes, traction control, 7-speed DCT gearbox, airbag and walking mode for parking manoeuvres. Therefore an equipment particularly appreciated by bikers who love long journeys.

MBE was also an opportunity for Misano World Circuit to present the 2018 sports program: 18 race weekends, with eight major international events including the World SBK Riviera di Rimini (6-8 July) and the Moto GP San Marino and Riviera di Rimini Grand Prix (7-9 September). On 28 and 29 April MWC will also host the SIC Day, renewing the bond with Marco Simonelli who is present and unforgettable everywhere, as well as in the naming of the facility. During the presentation, which was attended by the riders Lorenzo Savadori, Matteo Ferrari and Michele Pirro, the Managing Director of MWC Andrea Albani and the President of Federmoto Giovanni Copioli presented a broad project for the growth of young speed talents which also includes the birth and development of a new federal technical center in Misano.

Among the most authoritative initiatives, the presentation of the 2018 Federmoto motorbike tourism calendar with events that from 20 April to 13 October will take travelers on two wheels along adventure and discovery itineraries throughout Italy. Particularly significant is the eco tourism formula which has as its main objective the protection of the natural environment and the search for a new balance between motorcycling and nature.