Bologna
Bologna’s Biker Paradise
Words & Photos Sarah Lane
“Italy is a heaven for motorcyclists!” This is the view of former world sidecar champion David James – aka DJ, who loves every minute living here. “It’s such a pro-bike country – there are circuits everywhere and racing’s a mainstream sport here,” he continues. “The weather’s generally reliable too, so events can be planned throughout the summer without needing to worry whether they’ll get rained off.”
After 20 years of racing and three consecutive world titles, the English-born DJ quit while he was on top in 1999, but now lives with his Italian wife Claudia around the corner from the famous Imola circuit.
His career as a sidecar passenger began when he was 17 and working as a mechanic.
He already raced motorcycles in his spare time. Race sidecars are low and streamlined, resembling three-wheeled Formula 1 cars – very different from the rather humorous image they tend to conjure up. “The first time I raced I fell out! It was wild!” recalls DJ.
While continuing to race his own traditional bikes, he remained with the sidecar team, taking care of the technical aspect and making a name for himself as a skilled passenger. “You have to develop a kind of sixth sense to understand what the rider’s about to do before he does it.” Success came when he turned professional and hooked up with fellow Englishman Steve Webster for the World Sidecar Championships, winning the title in 1997, 1998 and 1999.
After such a long and intense career wasn’t it hard to give up racing? “At first I just needed a break from the tough schedule and training regime, but soon I was itching for the adrenaline.” To fill the gap DJ took up surfing. “I love it – there are some good surf spots in Italy, particularly on the west coast, but my favourite surf destinations have to be Barbados and Thailand.”
He continues to be involved with motorcycles in his current career with Ducati. “It’s a fascinating place to work. As product manager I follow bikes from their conception to the showroom and when a new model is to be launched, I’ll live with it non-stop for several weeks,” he explains. “I’m also a racing instructor for the company – we teach at tracks throughout Italy.”
Courses last a day and range from total beginner level to advanced. DJ takes the latter groups, teaching racetrack skills. “It’s great fun, particularly if I’ve got a fast group and I get my speed fix!” Such direct contact with the public also allows all-important feedback on the bikes.
A global leader when it comes to street bikes, Ducati is a major player in the World Superbike and MotoGP championships too. When important events are on, a giant screen is put up outside the factory and fans gather to watch.
Many of Italy’s top MotoGP riders are from this area – Marco Melandri, Loris Capirossi, Andrea Dovizioso and Marco Simoncelli, while the genius of the racetrack, Valentino Rossi, was born just a little further away. The riders are frequently seen training at local motocross tracks but as DJ points out, “Motocross is a very different discipline, it’s like a gym on wheels.”
Enrico Malaguti “Malaga” agrees: “Motocross is both physically and technically challenging. It’s a perfect all-round sport and while anyone can get up speed on a circuit, it’s another matter when it comes to the jumps and tight bends on a motocross track.”
Malaga’s passionate about motocross and loves having time to spend on his own bike after years of busy weekends working as mechanic for various successful motocross, enduro and moto rally teams in the Italian and European championships. His day job is with Malaguti (no relation), another local company. Founded in 1930 and still family-run, Malaguti specialises in scooters. “It’s an exciting time for us,” says Malaga. “We’re developing a new generation hybrid scooter, due to be launched in early 2010.”
As the in-house off-road specialist, Malaga developed the new version of the Malaguti Grizzly – a motocross bike for kids aged from around five upwards. “I’d have loved to have had a motorcycle at that age,” he comments, “although I think the right age to start is about seven or eight.”
Malaga’s colleague, Paolo Puddu, says: “I’ve always loved motorcycles and after a long series of scooters I’ve finally got a Triumph Street Triple – my pride and joy!” So where do all these local riders hang out? “One classic route starting from Bologna is the Strada della Futa – endless heart-stopping bends and steep zig-zags that lead to the legendary Chalet Raticosa,” advises Paolo. High in the Apennines on the border with Tuscany, the Chalet’s been a biker bar for decades. In good weather it buzzes with hundreds of bikes parked up outside and riders and enthusiasts alike wandering around and admiring them.
For many, the look of a bike is almost as important as its performance. From his garage in Bologna, Daniele Degli Esposti, helped by his girlfriend Bea, decorates helmets, bikes and anything else he’s commissioned to. “I love all kinds of bike but I don’t ride to Raticosa. I’m no good at bendy roads,” laughs Daniele.
His speciality is acceleration and the drag-racing events he takes part in are often held on disused airport runways.
When it comes to motorcycles, whichever aspect gets your heart beating faster you’ll find it exists in Bologna with passion and style. In the words of a world champion – this really is a paradise for motorheads!
Bologna bites
“It’s impossible to find a bad restaurant round here,” says DJ. “One of my favourites is Osteria Cannone.” (Via Andrea Costa 102, Bologna, +39 051 614 3655)
“In summer you’ll find me most evenings at the open-air biker bar, La Dolce Vita.” (Parco Tozzoni, Imola, +39 0542 684710, www.chioscodolcevita.it) David James, Ducati Product Manager, instructor and former World Sidecar Champion.
February 5th, 2010 at 7:08 pm
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