Gli Amici Di Claudio had been organised by MV Agusta in partnership with Moto Club Internazionale Cascina Costa, Cagiva Club Lombardia and the Registro Storico Aermacchi. The organisers had put together a program that included an exhibition of Aermacchi, Cagiva and MV Agusta bikes including the Husqvarna and Ducati bikes manufactured up to 1996, displayed in the main factory courtyard.
The procession was led by MV Agusta's president, Giovanni Castiglioni, that attracted hundreds of participants, including plenty of foreigners, most from Germany, Switzerland, France, the UK, USA and Australia, including two previous champions with close ties to these brands, Giacomo Agostini and Marco Lucchinelli. These participants rode in on bikes of every kind, make and era, to pay their respects and celebrate the achievements marked by president Claudio Castiglioni, a big player in Italian industrial and racing history. It was because of him that world-famous brands such as Aermacchi, Cagiva, Husqvarna and Ducati re-entered the market, making their way back into the dealerships to enjoy their share of success and prestige.
The indoor area showcased some of the most admired racing and production models from the yesteryears that included the F4 Senna and F4 Tamburini, prototypes and bikes that won the World GP and Superbike championships. The event also showcased Eddie Lawson's Cagiva 500 and the Rivale on sale at MV Agusta dealerships. The Elephant that won the deserts of the Paris-Dakar to the three-cylinder F3 800, marking Claudio Castiglioni's talent were also on display.
The day ended with a lottery draw, the proceeds of which went to the IEO (European Oncology Institute), whereas one lucky winner won the MV Agusta Rivale 800, with the president's initials ' CC', embedded on it. A final display with all engines revving, was made in the memory of the late, Claudio Castiglioni.
Azaman Chothia
Vishal Venugopal
