For a day, today at the Po Park, CAVEC has reconnected the threads of time and recreated – with the event reserved for “Underbarrel in Circuit” – the scent and flavor of the Belle Époque, its being a magical and repeatable moment, in which society faced itself with optimism and with joie de vivre, lightly and nonchalantly, about a century that he could not imagine would be as tragic and bloody as the twentieth century. About sixty motorcycles, in full futurist spirit, “adorned with large tubes similar to snakes with explosive breath” as Marinetti put it, they completed laps along the track created close to the Great River. Without haste, because the “Sottocanna in Circuito” is not a competition but simply a dynamic conservation and restoration competition. Thus, in the spirit of the event, to add charm to the parade, the centuaries dressed in theme, in full harmony with the vehicles they were called to drive. The most elegant wear jackets and waistcoats, knickerbockers with tartan socks. For the ladies, long dresses, hats and umbrellas to protect themselves from the sun, in years when paleness was noble. For the more sporty, those who grip the handlebars of a racing motorbike, leather helmets, as well as long gloves that protect almost the entire forearm, goggles and fluttering scarves for speed. And then there is the music, that of Bourbon Street Dixie Band. Notes that evoke American jazz, with a well-marked rhythm, particular sounds and the timbres of the instruments combined in a very singular way. Vital charge and vibrant emotions that don’t go away when the notes give way to the roars of motorcycles. A festive atmosphere that lasted until the awards ceremony. So many trophies awarded, it’s almost impossible to remember them all. Among the most significant, the recognition for the oldest motorcycle which went to the 1902 Werner of Mario Macchiella. Among Italian motorbikes, however, the oldest is the Gilera 3Hp and ½ horsepower. Emilio Comelli. The prize for the example in the best state of preservation (i.e. which has never undergone restoration despite being more than a century old) goes to the 1923 Douglas TS by Alessandro Boglioni. The winner of the trophy for the best restoration is, however, the ’24 Guzzi Normale Luigi Tagliaferri. “Best of show” of the day the 1918 AJS Stevens by Roberto Ceruti. The sidecar is still made of wicker, the shape already tapered which nods to the first studies on aerodynamics. Truly a museum “piece”. Then there are the prizes for the English motorbikes, the theme of this edition of the “Sottocanna”. The CAVEC organizing committee wanted to valorise the oldest example (the 1909 Excelsior by Marco Glisenti) and the most elegant (the 1932 Cotton by Giuseppe Chiodelli). Finally, look to the future at the trophy awarded to Luca Francinelli, awarded with his Guzzi 250 ss as the best “under 25” rider, demonstrating how vintage motorbikes can also involve young people. But the greatest success is precisely that of the Club Amatori Veicoli d’Epoca Cremona, capable of bringing together many examples that are usually seen (static) only in museums. “It was a great edition – confirms the president Claudio Pugnoli – The “Sottocanna” is a unique event. Precisely for this reason, organization is never easy. Having managed to involve so many collectors is an important recognition of our commitment. We, like every year, offered an engaging show. The large audience that followed the event offers tangible evidence of it. In addition to the participants, I thank everyone who made the event possible. And, in particular, the Administration which, once again, offered us this wonderful amphitheater and the many CAVEC volunteers who made the event a perfect success.”
