After three rounds – in Mannheim, Germany (Vespa Club of Germany), Vienna (Vespa Club of Austria) and Pontedera, Italy – the exciting Vespa Rally reliability championship has come to end, scoring its usual success with the public and among riders, with participants of various ages from all over Italy and a number of European countries. The final stage took part in Pontedera, the “Vespa hometown”, with the declaration of the 2015 European Champion. Under the aegis of the Vespa World Club, the organisers are already busy planning dates and host countries for the 2016 championship, which will mark the 70th anniversary of the famous scooter.
The three-day third round of the championship on Tuscan soil was a densely packed program of visits, lively evenings and races dominated by a healthy competitive spirit: a tour of the Piaggio factories and the nearby museum (which hosted the event organised by the Pontedera Vespa Club, with champion Giuseppe Cau as guest of honour, in cooperation with the Vespa Club of Italy), convivial moments and, above all, the closely fought skills and time trials, through magnificent landscapes and historic locations, such as Lari with its castle, and San Miniato, famous for its white truffles.
Reigning champion Marino Sola from the Pinerolo Vespa Club reaffirmed his position as Vespa Rally 2015 European Champion, followed by many excellent Italian and foreign riders. The women's ranking was dominated by Ilona Gockel of the Cologne Vespa Club. Arrivederci - so long until the Vespa Rally 2016.
