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GT WORLD CHALLENGE EUROPE BY AWS GETS UNDERWAY WITH 59 ENTRIES ON THE GRID

by Andrea Cremonesi

STRONG ITALIAN PRESENCE AT THE START OF THE GT WORLD CHALLENGE EUROPE 3-HOUR RACE

Autodromo Nazionale Monza hosts this weekend the 3 Hours of the GT World Challenge Europe by AWS Endurance Cup, the fourth round of the 2025 season with many Italians at the start. Ferrari fields among its official drivers Alessandro Pier Guidi, a three-time World Endurance Champion, winner of the centenary 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2023 and the 2021 CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa, a regular presence in the GT World Challenge since 2012.

The Prancing Horse counts three more Italians in its Pro lineup. Alessio Rovera shares the #51 AF Corse - Francorchamps Motors Ferrari with Pier Guidi and won the title together with his compatriot last season. Antonio Fuoco, winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans 2024. The youngest of the group is Eliseo Donno, 20, who joined the #50 crew this year after impressing in the Silver Cup.

There are two more official Ferrari drivers on the grid:. Andrea Bertolini, in his last race, who will line up here in the #52 AF Corse. The Sassuolo driver was one of the stars of the GT1 era, winning the Spa 24 Hours in 2006 and 2008 and the FIA GT1 world title in 2010. Davide Rigon has been a Ferrari man since 2012 and was part of the brand's Pro roster until 2024. He now drives for the Rinaldi Racing team in the Bronze Cup.

Lamborghini in its Pro lineups fields Mirko Bortolotti, whose palmarès includes two GT World Challenge titles and a record number of pole positions in the Endurance Cup. Marco Mapelli, also a multiple champion, holds the lap record at the 24 Hours of Spa and was born just 10 kilometers from Monza; he currently races under a Swiss license.

Mattia Drudi (born in Rimini, races with a San Marino license) is behind the wheel of an Aston Martin: in 2024he won the 100th edition of the 24 Hours of Spa. Matteo Cairoli and among the contenders for overall victory at Monza in the Mercedes-AMG Team Mann-Filter.

We cannot fail to mention Raffaele Marciello. Although born in Lugano, he raced for many years under the Italian flag before switching to Switzerland in 2022.

Moving from the Pro class to the Bronze Cup, the #8 Ferrari of the Kessel Racing team features an all-Italian crew: David Fumanelli, Niccolò Schirò and Nicolò Rosi (who was born in Milan and races with a Swiss license). The BMW Italia Ceccato Racing team fields two Italians in the #15 M4 GT3 EVO: Federico Malvestiti, who is from Monza, and Felice Jelmini, born in Gallarate.

Eddie Cheever , a son of art, participates with the Tempesta team. This year he has a new teammate, Marco Pulcini, also from Rome (he races under a Monaco license). The Bronze Cup also includes Gabriele Piana in the #81 Mercedes-AMG of Winward Racing, who has a class win at the 24 Hours of Spa on his resume.

Four other Italians will compete in the Silver Cup, all with Italian teams. Mateo Llarena-who holds dual citizenship as he was born in Guatemala-will drive the #54 Porsche for Dinamic GT. Michele Beretta and Alessio Deledda will share the #60 Lamborghini of the VSR team, while Alberto Di Folco will be behind the wheel of the #99 Audi of the Tresor Attempto Racing team.

The same team will field two Italian drivers in the Gold Cup, with Leonardo Moncini and Riccardo Cazzaniga in the #88 Audi. Edoardo Liberati will drive the #611 Mercedes-AMG for rookie team Nordique Racing, while Marzio Moretti will complete the Italian line-up in a Lamborghini for the Paul Motorsport team.

In addition to the 3 Hours, the one-make Lamborghini Super Trofeo and McLaren Trophy will also be held in Monza. Don't miss the many Fan Zone attractions, food courts and a dedicated children's area. The GT World Challenge Europe by AWS race will start at 3 p.m. Sunday, and tickets for the entire weekend cost €35.

by Andrea Cremonesi

EXTRICATORS COURSE AT THE AUTODROME WITH INSTRUCTORS FROM ACI'S SPECIALIST MOTORSPORT ACADEMY

On May 24 and 25, 2025, the courses for extricators organized in collaboration with AREU (Agenzia Regionale Emergenza Urgenza) and the Italian Red Cross were held at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza under the aegis of Specialist Motorsport Academy, the ACI training school run by Raffaele Giammaria on behalf of ACI Sport.
The training event on the famous Lombardy track was attended by 44 medical personnel, who were involved in two days dedicated to training on the latest extrication techniques, which are essential to ensure maximum safety during driver rescue operations.

The group of trainers, coordinated by Massimiliano Girgenti - a former Academy trainer and part of the staff of the head of the medical sector, Professor Saul Collini - included Drs. Gianluca Greco and Paolo Mangili, along with paramedic Stefano Lodi.
The three professionals, new additions to the Specialist Motorsport Academy's medical sector, began their journey after taking part in the course for trainers held last March 22 at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli.

Two intense and highly educational days of professionalism, collaboration and promotion of safety in motorsport.

by Andrea Cremonesi

PRESENTED AT THE AUTODROME THE MONZA SPORT FESTIVAL

Presented today at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza the 47th edition of the Monza Sport Festival, the event organized by the Ussmb (Union of Sporting Societies of Monza and Brianza) in collaboration with the Municipality of Monza, which will be held in the Temple of Speed on Saturday, May 24 and Sunday, May 25, that is the place where the first edition was held on June 2, 1976.

More than fifty disciplines on "display" that can be tried free of charge by the public. About sixty companies are represented. Many federations and sports promotion bodies present. Three macro areas in which the event will take place: the track with parades of cars and motorcycles (among the protagonists will be Motom, Ferrari Club Caprino, Gilera, Mams), bicycle and skiroll races, paddocks 1 and 2 where many demonstration activities involving visitors will take place, and the building, where conferences, fencing competitions, the Unicef exhibition "The GP of rights , schools in pole position for the future" and school performances will be held. Four scholastic institutes from Monza and Brianza will be present.
Other activities will be held in the outdoor spaces of the racetrack, as this year's calendar is particularly packed .
The CSI (Italian Sports Center) will organize a volleyball tournament and bring a wall for sport climbing.
Fitness enthusiasts will be able to try a new way to get fit: the FitRope, a workout that combines the art of jumping rope with the energy of high-intensity training. And those who enjoy "challenging" sports won't be able to resist trying their hand at parkour, a special obstacle course.
There will be no shortage of wooden toys and old-fashioned games that grandparents were so fond of. The Italian national roller skating team will present itself to the public at full speed on the track on Saturday, May 24. Astro Roller Skating on Saturday, May 24, will organize its Astro Roller Games, while on Sunday it will offer freestyle exhibitions in the morning and figure skating in the afternoon.
Also on Sunday afternoon, the Triuggio Marching Band will entertain those present with its music.
Brianza Fencing will organize the "Open Epee Trophy" on Saturday (men's competitions) and Sunday (women's competitions). On Sunday, May 25, space will be given to cyclists for the races organized by Pedale Monzese: the 92nd City of Monza Gold Medal and the 47th Angelo Schiatti Trophy.
The Monza Sport Festival is also inclusion: the Asd Arcobaleno Calcio Monza will propose a tournament with differently abled youngsters.
As many as two swimming pools will be set up especially for the MSF: one where nautical rescue demonstrations will be held and one dedicated to four-legged friends.

Field hockey Roller Club Monza will also be among the protagonists with exhibitions and demonstration activities.

In addition, the City of Monza has decided to hold the "States General of Sport" where there will be five thematic tables involving Coni, Sport and Health, the Territorial School Office, the Province of Monza and Brianza, Ats Brianza, and the Sports Facilities Association. The Milan Cortina Committee will participate remotely. Representatives of sports associations will be invited.
Thanks to the collaboration of Fiab MonzainBici on Sunday, May 25, at 10 a.m., the "Bimbinbici" event will start from Piazza Trento e Trieste, leading participants to the Autodromo at the Monza Sport Festival.
MV Radio will organize DJ sets and coordinate all stage activities.

The Monza Sport Festival, which enjoys the patronage of the Province of Monza and Brianza, Coni and the Monza Autodrome, is as always free admission from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday.

(release from the Union of Sporting Societies of Monza and Brianza)

by Andrea Cremonesi

MONZA CIRCUIT KARTING REOPENS AT AUTODROMO NAZIONALE MONZA STARTING MAY 14

by Andrea Cremonesi

FROM MAY, THE RACETRACK OPENS ITS DOORS WIDE TO REGISTERED CYCLISTS

Starting in May, the Autodromo Nazionale Monza will open its doors wide to cyclists registered with the Italian Cycling Federation.

The agreement, valid until the 2028 racing season, was signed by the facility's General Manager Alfredo Scala and the President of the Consortium of Monza and Brianza ASD Cycling Companies Ruggero Cazzaniga.

The presentation of the initiative was also attended today by Monza City Council's Sports Councillor Viviana Guidetti, who favored the arrangement to offer cycling clubs an "exceptional" track for team training, and the President of the Italian Cycling Federation, Cordiano Dagnoni, as well as the President of the Monza and Brianza FCI Provincial Committee, Chiara Mariani, and the President of BCC of Carate Brianza Ruggero Redaelli.

The models of bicycles allowed for training are: road, time trial, gravel, mountain bike, handbike, tandem, tricycle, and authorized means for para-cycling.

"Autodromo Nazionale Monza continues to collaborate with institutions and local authorities to be increasingly connected to the territory and the sportsmen and women who frequent Monza Park. The agreement, promoted by the City of Monza, with the Italian Cycling Federation, which will allow its members to ride on the track on certain days according to established calendars that will be made public from time to time," explained Autodromo Nazionale Monza President Giuseppe Redaelli.

"The reopening of the Autodrome to registered cyclists will allow both athletes from cycling associations and amateurs to ride inside the Temple of Speed. This possibility, combined with the running competitions held on the circuit, confirms the path of greater opening of the Autodromo Nazionale to citizens," added Viviana Guidetti, Councillor for Sport of the City of Monza.

"Safety for practice is one of the primary objectives of the Federation, which moves in several directions, from road education to the search for safe spaces. The agreement with the Autodromo Nazionale Monza is also part of this perspective, which has a double value, practical and cultural. From a practical point of view, this agreement will guarantee our clubs and our members safe activities in one of the iconic places, the Autodromo Nazionale Monza. I hope, therefore, that the initiative will help increase practice in the province and the region. From a cultural point of view, it also shows that bicycles and cars can coexist in the same spaces when the relationship is based on mutual respect and mutual cooperation." stressed Cordiano Dagnoni, president of the Italian Cycling Federation.

(Joint press release with Italian Cycling Federation, City of Monza and Autodromo Nazionale Monza. Photo: Cyclist Photographer)

by Andrea Cremonesi

PRE-SEASON COLLECTIVE TEST FOR PORSCHE CARRERA CUP ITALIA: MASTERS SHINES

The 19th edition of the Porsche Carrera Cup Italia kicked off last Wednesday, April 16, at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza with a day of collective testing ahead of the first round of the tricolor one-make series scheduled to take place at the Misano World Circuit over the weekend of May 4.
Thirty-one drivers representing eight different nationalities and at the wheel of the 27 510-horsepower Porsche 911 GT3 Cups in the pits. The 2025 preview was disrupted by the rain that fell the previous day and then in the afternoon, but in addition to training on Michelin wet-weather tires, teams and protagonists still managed to set some outstanding chrono times when they found dry conditions.
As many as nine rookies were present, including very young ones. Among the 12 talents included in the Scholarship Program, reserved for under-23s, in fact, three drivers not yet 18 took part in the collective test (2009 class Mattia Marchiante is the youngest ever and is registered with Omnia Racing, a team making its debut in Carrera Cup Italia). On the Pro front, five already champions are at work in the run-up to the new title. Among them is defending champion Keagan Masters: confirmed standard-bearer of Team Q8 Hi Perform, the 25-year-old South African driver, who was best youngster in Carrera Cup Italia 2022, achieved the fastest lap in 1'48"576, the only one to break the wall of 1:49 with an important chronometric reference, the best ever as far as collective test days held at Monza with the current model of the 911 GT3 Cup (the previous ones in April 2022 and 2023).

In the time list, Masters preceded 2021 champion Alberto Cerqui: back under the Ebimotors team banner after 12 years. The driver from Brescia ended the day with his best time of 1'49"198, followed in turn by Marvin Klein. The two-time Carrera Cup France champion, in his first season with BeDriver, lapped in 1'49"346. Two other champions like Gianmarco Quaresmini (2018 and 2022) and Simone Iaquinta (2019 and 2020) followed within not even a tenth: Quaresmini set the fourth fastest time of 1'49"395 in his first appearance with Malucelli Motorsport, while Iaquinta, confirmed in Prima Ghinzani Motorsport, is sixth in 1'49"488. Between them was Francesco Braschi: the 20-year-old driver from Cattolica, this year in the forces of Ombra Racing, inaugurated his second season in the Porsche single-brand with the top-5 of the day in 1'49"445, the best among the talents of the Scholarship Program, in which he already distinguished himself last year.
The fastest among the new protagonists was instead Huub Van Eijndhoven, author of the seventh time in 1'49"663. He was followed by Diego Bertonelli, confirmed in The Driving Experiences team (1'49"671), and another new-entry, the 1998-born German Jan Seyffert, ninth in 1'49"938 with Target Competition and the fastest of the contenders for the Rookie classification, introduced last year for under-30s in their debut season in 911 GT3 Cups.
The top-10 was rounded out by compatriot and teammate Alexander Tauscher, the only driver to improve on the morning in the afternoon session and the last of the protagonists to drop below the 1:50 wall in 1'49"990. Not far from that limit, with the 12th overall finding, the fastest of the Michelin Cup contenders in 1'50"275 was Alberto De Amicis: the driver from Guidonia inaugurated the new season by confirming himself in front of everyone after the category title won last October precisely at Monza and always with the Ebimotors team and Centro Porsche Varese. More distant, they are followed by Malucelli Motorsport's Tuscan standard bearer Stefano Stefanelli and 2024 vice-champion Francesco Maria Fenici, this year's bearer of The Driving Experiences.
The Porsche Carrera Cup Italia will return to the Autodromo Nazionale Monza for the final race of the season scheduled for October 24-26, 2025.
(source Porsche press office)

by Andrea Cremonesi

SUZUKI BIKE DAY PRESENTED

The fifth edition of the Suzuki Bike Day was presented yesterday, Wednesday, April 16, 2025, at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza.

In the presence of representatives of institutions, partners and the press, Suzuki explained the main details of this new edition, including the characteristics of the route and the special technical jersey dedicated to the fifth edition, developed in collaboration with Alé Cycling, inspired by the colors with which Suzuki triumphed in MotoGP in 2020.

The big news of Bike Day 2025 is the "base," which will be at the legendary Brianza circuit.

After the previous editions in Carpegna (PU) and Imola (BO) saw the participation of more than 8,000 cyclists, the Suzuki Bike Day is preparing to tread other roads that have written memorable pages of cycling history. In fact, Brianza is the territory where the "Coppa Agostoni," one of the most prestigious men's road races on the international cycling scene, takes place. And it is precisely from this competition that the Organization is inspired to define the route of Suzuki Bike Day #5.

The Suzuki Bike Day is not a race, and anyone can take part with any type of bicycle-muscular or pedal-assisted, including even handbikes and bikes equipped with carts for children or four-legged friends-choosing to pedal at their preferred pace.

Online registration is already open, but you can also register on-site on the day of the event. All proceeds from Suzuki Bike Day #5 will be donated to Dynamo Camp ETS, a reality that offers free Dynamo® Recreational Therapy programs to children and youth with serious illnesses and their families.

Speakers' statements

At the opening of the meeting, Massimo Nalli, President of Suzuki Italia, welcomed the participants and explained the general features of Suzuki Bike Day #5.

"We open the doors of a major racetrack to a day on the pedals and the saddle," said Nalli, who then wanted to emphasize what drives the Hamamatsu company to initiate events of this kind. "It should come as no surprise that a company like Suzuki promotes fluid mobility and invites all road users to respectful coexistence. Car drivers, motorcyclists and cyclists are, often the same people, who choose to use a different means of transportation depending on the specific desires and needs of a particular moment. The purpose of Suzuki Bike Day is to make these two worlds, which have more points of contact than points of friction, coexist."

The floor was then passed to Carlo Abbà Assessore alle Attività Produttive e al Marketing Territoriale del Comune di Monza, who said, "It is very Japanese to look at other worlds, and it would behoove everyone to do so in the real world. We are happy that similar initiatives are taking place in our city, both to attract tourists and to experience this kind of mixing."

Viviana Guidetti, Councillor for Libraries, Sports and Sports Facilities Maintenance, Environmental Hygiene also of the City of Monza then commented, "The city of Monza is opening up to sports and, all initiatives that are also held at the Autodrome, are welcome. From May we will reopen the Autodrome to cyclists, and the event is perfectly in line with our policy. Among other things, this event involves a vast territory, creating synergies between municipalities and pushing them to work in an integrated way, according to a virtuous model that should be replicated ".

Emiliano Borgna, president of ACSI, Association of Italian Sports Centers-Association of Culture, Sports and Leisure wanted to emphasize, "Suzuki has been able to intercept an ongoing trend in the amateur world. People are going beyond performance and want to have new experiences, looking for opportunities for fun, moments of sharing to be together. Events such as the Suzuki Bike Day become in this perspective events of social promotion, with the bike becoming a factor of culture and a means to go also symbolically toward that sustainable mobility of which Suzuki is the standard-bearer."

Alfredo Scala, Director of the Autodromo Nazionale Monza, for his part, emphasized passion as the common denominator for everything that takes place at the Monza facility. ""When one thinks of Autodromo Nazionale Monza, the mind runs to Formula 1 and, more generally, to engines. But the bicycle is far from being a foreign medium in our business. On the contrary. Initiatives such as these, in a facility like ours that is located in the middle of a large park where bicycles are the protagonists, are in line with our goals of environmental sustainability of which soft mobility, of two wheels without engines, is a pillar. Not to mention that there are many motoring enthusiasts of all ages who, living nearby, during the week, as soon as they hear the sound of a racing car, straddle their bikes to come and see who is racing at the racetrack."

Nunzia Sciavarrello, Corporate Partnership Specialist of Dynamo Camp, thanked Suzuki for the support, now in its third year, recalling the recent openings of city camps in Milan and Genoa, which are active year-round and flank the historic facility in the province of Pistoia, operational since 2007. "Speed is a key concept in our activity: for us, that of the slowest counts, because all our kids need to be able to complete their challenges at their own pace, just as it does for those who participate in Suzuki Bike Day. We invite families to experience this ".

The route: from the asphalt of Formula 1 to the hills of Brianza

Instead, Davide Cassani, Ambassador of the event and former CT of the National Cycling Team, was tasked with telling the story of the route's characteristics. Cyclists will have the opportunity to live a unique and special experience. After the start on the asphalt of the Temple of Speed, cyclists will be able to move on the scenic roads of Brianza, exceptionally closed to traffic for the occasion.

The Suzuki Bike Day #5 route alternates flowing sections with more technical hilly sections and is inspired by the men's inline race "Coppa Agostoni," which Cassani himself won twice. The planned route covers about 60 kilometers against a backdrop of stunning scenery and an elevation gain of 650 meters. Among the most challenging points is the Lissolo, the symbolic climb of the Agostoni Cup and habitual gym for many cyclists, with a maximum gradient of 16 percent. The route will be suitable for both sportsmen and women, but also for cycle tourists who choose to pedal at a leisurely pace, taking their time to admire the beautiful views of the area.

Pedaling with sports stars

One of the special features of the Suzuki Bike Bay is then the fact that it gives participants the opportunity to ride alongside many sports stars. Among the sportsmen and women who have confirmed their presence at SBD #5 are, for example, two great cycling champions, such as Elisa Longo Borghini, winner of the Giro d'Italia Women 2024 and the very recent Tour of Flanders 2025, and Filippo Baroncini, who graduated as Under 23 World Champion in 2021. Also at the start will be: Marco Pesavento, Winter Triathlon World Champion, and Matteo Rizzo, ice skater Italian Champion in 2018. They will be joined by triathletes Alessandra Fior, Marta Meditto, Michele Bonacini and Samuele Angelini, Italian national Para ice hockey team forward Gabriele Lanza and the Wheelchair Curling pair composed of Ioriatti and Bertò. Some athletes from the U20 National Volleyball Team will also be present, and Alberto Barile, COO of Torino FC.

How to register for Suzuki Bike Day #5

Until June 11, it will be possible to register online for Suzuki Bike Day #05 through the event page on the Suzuki website, following a simple guided procedure. Alternatively, it will still be possible to register directly on site the day before the event (June 13) from 5-7 p.m. or directly on the day of the event (June 14), from 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. The organization expects each registrant to pay a minimum fee, free then to increase it according to his or her generosity, knowing that what is paid will still fund Dynamo Camp activities. Until April 30, the standard minimum fee will be 10 euros, which is little more than a symbolic amount. The amount will rise to 15 euros in May, finally reaching 20 euros after May 31 and until June 14. The standard participation fee includes: race packet; name or nickname faceplate (deadline for customization: 03/06); insurance coverage; refreshment stations, including a final refreshment at the circuit; medical assistance; and mechanical assistance.

At any time participants will be able to choose to pay the Premium fee, which includes a 20 euro surcharge on the standard fee, receiving in addition to the race pack the exclusive technical jersey made by Alé Cycling and co-designed with Suzuki.

Suzuki Bike Day 2025 Jersey

To celebrate the passion between motorsports and cycling, the Suzuki Bike Day 2025 jersey was developed with colors and graphics in mind that recall the suit used by Spanish rider Joan Mir in 2020, when he became MotoGP World Champion with the official Suzuki of Team Ecstar. Blue and gray alternate in a geometric design, enlivened by the red of the unmistakable S Suzuki. "Per Alé Cycling is an honor and pleasure to partner with Suzuki - said Gianluca Cappello, Head of Custom Sales at Alé Cycling, who then concluded - thehe Bike Day is a project we love, because through it we spread values and culture of cycling, which is not just competition but freedom and a sense of belonging".

(Source: Suzuki Press Office)

by Andrea Cremonesi