After extensive renovation by the Italian motorcycle manufacturer Moto Guzzi, aficionados this year had fresh reasons for a pilgrimage to the lakeside spot where their beloved two-cylinder bikes are hand-built. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Associated Press.
Thousands of Moto Guzzi riders pulled up Saturday for an annual gathering and informal ride along the winding lakeside roads. They started arriving on Thursday for the unveiling of the headquarters, new museum and expanded factory on the shores of northern Italy’s Lake Como.
The headquarters, nestled between a mountainside and the lakeshore, received an additional 5,500 square meters (nearly 60,000 square feet) for factory space and the museum that honors the iconic brand that has been owned by Vespa-maker Piaggio since 2004. Works took five years and cost more than 50 million euros ($58 million).
Timothy Bennett, who lives in the U.S. state of Georgia, was making his second trip to the headquarters after attending a toned-down 100th anniversary. He shared his impressions: "There is a special atmosphere here. The history and tradition of the factory are preserved, and the new museum is magnificent." According to Bennett, he rode his Moto Guzzi over 8,000 kilometers from Atlanta to attend this celebration.
During the anniversary events, guests toured the new factory workshops and saw how craftsmen assemble motorcycles. The museum displays various models and engines from the brand's 105-year history. Many enthusiasts arrived on their old motorcycles and had the opportunity to compare them with new models.
Moto Guzzi CEO Michele Colanninna said at the opening ceremony: "We worked hard to implement this project. Our goal is to combine tradition and innovation. The new factory will allow us to increase production volumes and enter new markets."
The new museum's exhibition includes models from the first examples of 1921 to modern sports motorcycles. Visitors can trace the evolution of the brand. A special feature of the museum is interactive screens and simulators that let you experience motorcycle control.
One participant of Saturday's event, Klaus Müller from Germany, shared: "I have been collecting Moto Guzzi motorcycles for 30 years. This is part of my life. Being at such an anniversary is a great honor for me."
During the gathering, various competitions and show programs took place. The fastest riders received special prizes. Food and drinks were also organized for participants.
Representatives of Moto Guzzi stated that this event will become an annual tradition and will be held on an even larger scale next year. According to them, such meetings help strengthen the connection with brand fans.
The new headquarters building features modern architectural solutions. Solar panels are installed on the roof, reflecting the company's commitment to environmental sustainability. Inside the factory, robotic systems and manual labor are harmoniously combined.
Italy's Minister of Culture attended the museum opening and emphasized the importance of this project for preserving the country's industrial heritage. He said: "Moto Guzzi is the pride of Italy. This factory not only produces motorcycles, it preserves part of our history."
In total, more than 10,000 people from different countries took part in the anniversary event. Since many arrived on motorcycles, the streets of Mandello del Lario were filled with motorcycles. Local residents welcomed the guests with joy and supported them.
When asked about the company's future plans, the CEO replied: "We are conducting research on electric motorcycles. But our traditional gasoline engines are still in demand. We will develop both directions."
The anniversary event concluded with a fireworks display, and participants danced under the night sky. This day will undoubtedly remain in the memory of Moto Guzzi fans for a long time.