The tragedy occurred on August 13 in the late afternoon in Belgium, on the extremely treacherous track of Spa-Francorchampswhere it was taking place Bikers Festival Classic, one of the most prestigious European historical re-enactments for vintage motorcycles. The accident occurred on the old starting line of the circuit. Some pilots they were lining up on the grid to start the lap of honour, when a motorcycle suddenly arriving at full speed caused a tragic 3-in-a-row, involving four other motorcycles that were stationary. The German was the worst Gunther Knuppertz, 84 years old. In the terrifying impact, the helmet he was wearing also broke. He fared better than another who instead suffered a fractured pelvis. All the pilots involved are foreigners and none of them are Italian.
controversy against the organizers
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This dramatic and very serious collision was probably caused by an unjustifiable misunderstanding between the organizers and the conductors. Some pilots had been lined up directly from the pits while others had covered a complete lap and, having reached speed, on the starting line, which is downhill, they found themselves facing other pilots who were stopped for the usual photos of the parade closing of the event. Thus, those who had completed the lap arrived at very high speed on the starting line, thinking they would find the track clear and so the catastrophe was. Knuppertz, who was stationary with his former Superbike Aprilia RSV4 1000, was bumped into by another German conductor.
who was gunther knuppertz
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Gunther was one of the wealthiest European collectors, a big man 1.90 meters tall, well-liked and highly appreciated by the whole vintage world of motorcycle re-enactments. A former entrepreneur, he lived in northern Germany where he had an industry that produced highly sophisticated camshafts. His motorcycle collection, mainly racing, was amazing, as well as precious. Very important motorcycles, including one MV Augusta 500 4 cylinders, a very rare one Benelli 250 4 cylindersone Yamaha 500 ex Lawsona Kawasaki that had competed in MotoGP, a Ducati Desmosedici ex Capirossi and more. He took care of all of her as her children and in the garage of his mega-villa in northern Germany he even had the test bench to test the engines and optimize their tuning.
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the gentle giant
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“It is a great loss for the world of collecting – Alessandro Altinier, one of the most important European vintage motorcycle dealers, as well as a regular visitor to historical re-enactments and auctions, is keen to underline – Gunther was a wonderful person, kind and very polite , as well as very competent and always available to attend and exhibit his jewels in all the most important European events in which he was always accompanied by his wife. His elegant presence will be greatly missed.” At the Bikers Festival Classic on August 13th he was present in which, among others, Giacomo Agostini was there, who had brought many MV Agustas with him. His and those of the late Ubaldo Elli, who in the 1980s had taken over the bikes from the Cascina Costa experience department from EFIM.
