BIKESIA ENDS ON A VERY POSITIVE NOTE
BikeAsia closed its doors last Sunday, in Singapore, and the initial stocktaking is even more favourable than anticipated.
Although, this year’s edition of BikeAsia was positioned as a “showcase for made in Italy”, more than a bicycle and motorcycle show, it attracted 1,667 trade visitors, i.e., 10% more than the first edition, and the overall attendance figure came close to 15,000 people, again, though the opening period for the public was reduced from 3 to 2 days, and the rain fell hard throughout the show.
Indubitably, the success of the event was promoted by the presence of over 40 brands, that illustrated the history, the present and the future of Italy’s 2-wheel vehicle industry. But significant contributions were also made by other aspects of Italian excellence: fashion (clothes by Fausto Sarli and Lorenzo Riva were presented by AltaRoma at two fashion shows that met with great enthusiasm), music (a quartet from the Verdi Symphonic Orchestra of Milan performed), highly prestigious wines by Azienda Sanfelice.
Authentic stars of the event were the patroness Melba Ruffo di Calabria and Mario Cipollini, cycling world champion, who faced the onslaught of local fans.
The presence of Senator Castelli at the inaugural ceremony, as the official representative of the Italian government, underscored the institutional significance of the event, organised in partnership by Confindustria Ancma, the Ministry for Economic Development, and ICE, that – among other things – paved the ground for BikeAsia by organising a highly successful gala evening.
An initial round of consultations with the Italian exhibitors obtained very favourable comments from the companies that displayed finished products, and a more cautious response from component manufacturers.
The bikes by Cicli Montante were a stunning success and many people demonstrated their interest in buying them at the show. Colnago and De Rosa bicycles were greatly admired, and, in the motorcycle sector, particularly successful were the products by Ducati, MV, Malaguti, and by Gruppo Piaggio, which is reintroducing Aprilia to the local market through a new distributor.
Finally, highly appreciated was the presentation of cycling itineraries: an exhibition sector that will have to be developed further, in view of the interest displayed by many visitors.
This is one of the considerations to be taken into account by the promoters and the organisers, who are already at work to fine-tune the format of the next edition, which will be defined on the basis of a careful assessment of the edition just ended.