MotoGP Tour
The Emilia Romagna, region of northern Italy, loved by tourists who spend their summer in the Adriatic seaside coast like Rimini, Riccione, Cattolica or Misano. This is a region that reaches many people, both those who love nature with its many natural reserves, for families who can have fun at various aquatic parks as Mirabilandia, Aquafan of Riccione and for lovers of aquatic animals they can go to Rimini Dolphinarium or Oltremare di Riccione.
The Adriatic coast is also special for bikes lovers. In fact, there are many places to visit for those who watch MotoGP. Valentino Rossi, Marco Simoncelli, Mattìa Pasini, Niccolò Antonelli, Alex De Angelis… all that famous pilots are from Emilia Romagna.
So you… bikes lover, I selected for you some places to visit all related with the world of MotoGP. All that places are very close by car.
Are you ready? Let’s go!
Stop 1: Gatteo Mare
In this place between small roads of shops that tourists do in the evening after a tasty ice cream, there is a real museum with vintage motorcycle behind a motorbike shop. The owner, Mr. Zani, about 70 years showed us this amazing place and told us his story.
This passion comes from years, and explained that he also rode 7 times at Moto Giro of Italy. This exhibition is dedicated to small cars and bikes from 40s and 50s that were restored and they are still working. In addition of cars and bikes, there are other elements like his bike suit so different from the current ones or a mini bike made with 1’965 spark plugs.
During the year, the owners of this museum which is agreed upon with the Municipality of Gatteo organize bikes meeting.
Adress: Hobby auto e moto, Via Matteotti 46 Gatteo Mare
Stop 2: Riccione
We are now going to Riccione to the Fondazione Marco Simoncelli where we interviewed last year Kate Fretti. We also find there a museum of objects, souvenirs, gifts, helmets, bike suits that used Marco Simoncelli. People go to the Foundation to enrol, make a donation or also give a gift. There are a lot of letters written by fans from all over the world, some words to remember Marco, to share with his family the pain that let his abrupt death.
The Foundation was created after Marco’s accident and has the aim to help disabled children and young people. They have realized a lot of projects they had and helped a lot of persons. They have for example collected a fund to build a daily centre in Dominican Republic that welcome disabled children and provides all infrastructures and medical staff to help them in their illness. The Foundation has already realized lot of project and they are still working on new ones. There projects can become true only with the help of people who contribute my making donations or being volunteers of the Foundation.
Adress: Marco Simoncelli Fondazione, Via Emilia, 9 47838 Riccione (RN)
Stop 3: Coriano
About 8 kms from Riccione, there is Coriano, small city where Marco Simoncelli was born and grew up. People go there to recollect and we feel even more the lack of Marco. A museum was opened in Via Garibaldi with various objects and pictures of Marco during his career.
Stop 4: Cattolica
Why don’t you take a coffee at Nicco 23 Caffetteria where there is a lovely view on the beach or why not buying some gadgets at the first floor? If you are lucky, you could meet Niccolò Antonelli, Moto 3 pilot there.
Adress: Nuova Darsena Marinai d’Italia, 47841 Cattolica
Stop 5: Misano
In Misano there is the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli where every year there is the GP in September. These weeks, the circuit was at the top of actualities because it was inaugurated a roundabout dedicated to the champion Marco Simoncelli with his marble statue at the centre.
Stop 6: Tavullia
At least, you can’t miss Tavullia, Valentino Rossi’s place. Not even arrived near to this amazing place that an unspeakable emotion invades all your body: The 46 number everywhere hanging balconies, some words dedicated to Valentino Rossi on the traffic sign at the entrance of Tavullia…
The day to go in Tavullia is a Sunday of race. You first should have a look at the famous Ranch, Valentino Rossi’s motocross track where he trains with his friends like Mattìa Pasini, Niccolò Antonnelli, Romano Fenati and his half-brother Luca Marini.
Around 10:00 am go to the Bar Pizzeria Da Rossi to eat the menu of the day dedicated to the country where the GP take place. The Bar Pizzeria Da Rossi is like a museum where lot of objects are collected. You can find Valentino’s bike suits, helmets, trophies and pictures of races.
After the lunch, why not watching the race in a nice place? Go upstairs where there is a living room with comfortable sofas and with a big screen.
It is an amazing atmosphere between fans from abroad, people from Tavulia you can meet nice people.
Are you a member of the Fan Club? If not, go to enrol it is just near the bar Pizzeria Da Ross.
Our MotoGP Tour in Emilia Romagna is now over. If you have opportunity to go to the GP in September don’t hesitate to inspire yourself of this itinerary. You won’t regret it!
Published in Fotarte Motor in May 2014
