July 2024 (G.T.) – The echo of the incredible success of the huge Vespa World Days event in 2024 (18-21 April), hosted for the first time in Pontedera, Tuscany – where the first Vespa came into being in 1946, and where this bike has since been manufactured, without interruption, ever since – can still be heard. And already, the Vespa enthusiasts of the world are already working themselves into a frenzy about the next edition of this mega-rally, the most important of the year. Official dates announced: 1-4 May 2025, in Gijón, Asturias, Spain.
The event organisers are already hard at work, with a view to offering the most unique experiences and picturesque locations to Vespa lovers, as well as the extraordinary atmosphere of friendship without limits that has always characterised gatherings of fans of the world’s best-loved scooter ( vespaclubespana.es/exclusiva-el-vespa-world-days-2025-se-celebrara-en-espana).
VESPA WORLD DAYS, 1-4 MAY 2025, SPAIN:
www.vespaworlddays2025spain.es
Vespa Club de España:
vespaclubespana.es
INTERVIEW WITH VESPA WORLD CLUB PRESIDENT MAURO CALESTRINI. At the beginning of April, a few weeks before the VWDays 2024, the Vespa World Club General Assembly voted for and elected their new Board of Directors (for the 2024-2027 term): the successful candidates were Enrique Alcalde (Vespa Club Spain), Mauro Calestrini (Vespa Club Italy), Julie Pond (Vespa Club Australia), Marco Mondaini (Vespa Club Luxembourg) and Lorenzo Riccardi (Vespa Club China); the Board then elected the new President of the World Association of Vespa Clubs: the Italian entrepreneur Mauro Calestrini (who has also been President of the Vespa Club Carpi since 2019), in his second term in this prestigious role (the first ran from December 2021 to June 2023).
VESPA WORLD CLUB:
vespaworldclub.org
Vespa all over the World, Museo Piaggio.
Riccardo Costagliola and Mauro Calestrini-VWDays 2024:
www.facebook.com/matteofranconicorricon/videos/413441611297955
As a collector and huge Vespa fan all his life (now 55 years old, he got his first Vespa at 14), Mauro Calestrini has found himself “catapulted” into the fray of the great 2024 world Vespa rally. And here’s what he keeps in his personal scrapbook.
President, your “heart-pounding” second term began at the Vespa World Days 2024...
"Four days during which I barely caught my breath, with dozens of engagements, meetings and interviews: moments of pure excitement.”
Pontedera, 18 April 2024, inauguration of the Vespa Historical Register at the Piaggio Museum. From left, Davide Zanolini (Head of Marketing and Communications for Piaggio Group); Mayor of Pontedera Matteo Franconi; Luigi Frisinghelli (President and Conservator of the Vespa Historical Register); Marco Manzoli (Vespa World Club Secretary); Mauro Calestrini (Vespa World Club President); Leonardo Pilati (Vespa Club Italy Vice President and Sporting Director); Riccardo Costagliola, President of the Piaggio Foundation.
Which of the very special moments of this edition of the world rally in the city of the Vespa stand out particularly for you?
"Let's start at the end, from the Concours d'Elegance held in the Vespa Village on Sunday morning, the last day of the rally, after being postponed due to rain on Saturday afternoon: here, I found myself standing in front of the three icons of modern Vespa history, namely Christa Solbach (former president of the International Federation of Vespa Clubs), Roberto Leardi (President of the Vespa Club Italy) and Luigi Frisinghelli (President and Conservator of the Vespa Historical Register).
Vespa Village, VWDays 2024: the biggest names in the world of Vespa in a single shot; from left, Roberto Leardi, Christa Solbach, Mauro Calestrini and Luigi Frisinghelli (photo courtesy Alessandro Lanzarini of the Vespa Club Italy, who we would like to thank for his contribution).
Whilst posing for the photo with these shining stars in the Vespa universe, I happened to overhear their conversation (which of course I cannot reveal), confirming their lofty status as individuals who can set an example to us all. Their passion for Vespa is all-encompassing and has marked - and continues to mark - their entire lives, spanning at least three generations of Vespa enthusiasts at international level.”
Pontedera, VWDays 2024. International Vespa Ladies: from left, Christa Solbach with Julie Pond (Vespa World Club Board of Directors). Image source: : www.facebook.com/VespaClubMelbourne
And the cover of the book dedicated to the “Signora della Vespa” (The Vespa Lady).
That’s great, but we want more! Can you tell us about any other occasions that you experienced as both protagonist and witness over the course of these incredible days...?
"The Presidents' Gala Dinner was a real high moment, both in terms of the setting where it was held – the Piaggio Museum – and with regard to attendance: never before had 56 Presidents of national Vespa Clubs from all continents been united in such a way, not to mention all the other guests including Piaggio executives and local authorities. I'd like to mention each one of the presidents, but I’ll just choose two: Taiwan’s Christopher Yang and Spain’s Alfonso Murciego Herrero; indeed, my Spanish friends – to whom I am very close – will host the VWDays event next year in Gijón. Elsewhere, I experienced similarly high-quality standards and another unique atmosphere – which evoked a host of beautiful emotions – at the Teatro Era, during the cultural event where the Carabinieri Band made both my heart and that of everyone else present beat faster.”
The collaborative spirit of the organising team was crucial when putting on such a significant and complex event...
"Of course, and here, I'd like to highlight the indispensable support provided by the Vespa Club Italy (whose President is Roberto Leardi, ed.), which I am honoured to represent at the highest level in the Vespa World Club. This national club placed its councillors at the service of its members and visitors to the special stand, making a major contribution to the organisation of the two scheduled sporting events: the Vespa Regularity Championship and the first Gimkana World Championship, through the Vespa Clubs of Pisa and Sirmione under the supervision of Sporting Director Leonardo Pilati. Not forgetting, of course, the daily efforts of Stefano Crociani, and above all Franco Benignetti, who were always on hand (both are on the Board of Directors of the Vespa Club Italy, ed). The Vespa Club Pontedera also proved to be worthy of special praise: among other things, they made a superhuman effort – assisted by many other clubs in Tuscany – to ensure that the tours and the big parade could take place.”
From left, the start of the big VWDays 2024 parade, with special guest TV presenter and record producer Rudy Zerbi, beside President Calestrini; both at the Piaggio Museum in Pontedera in the other photos.
The extraordinary response of the town of Pontedera as a whole, as well as the region crossed by thousands of Vespa enthusiasts of nationalities, also deserves a mention...
“Without a doubt: the welcome provided by the city for the Vespa World Days 2024 demonstrated how Vespa really is a core part of Pontedera's historical and social identity. My family and I also received an amazing welcome everywhere we went...For example, in a restaurant in the city centre, customers and staff applauded us Vespisti as we arrived...and on each of the four days of the event, I felt the real warmth of the thousands of people who wanted to say hello to me, take a photo, give me a souvenir of their Club.”
From left, Mauro Calestrini at the Piaggio Museum, with Roberto Leardi and Luigi Frisinghelli (June 2024).
Mauro Calestrini, newly elected President of the Vespa World Club.
By Vespa Club of Melbourne, Australia:
www.facebook.com/VespaClubMelbourne/videos/378897500239730
Vespa World Club, President Mauro Calestrini, facebook:
www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100081707450432
WIDE REWIND – VESPA WORLD DAYS 2024, A RECORD EDITION
wide.piaggiogroup.com/en/articles/events/vespa-world-days-2024-it-was-a-record-setting-edition
WIDE REWIND (2022) – MAURO CALESTRINI IS AT THE HELM OF NATIONAL VESPA CLUBS ACROSS ALL CONTINENTS:
wide.piaggiogroup.com/articles/en/articles/people/interview-with-the-new-president-of-vespa-world-club-mauro-calestrini
