The 66th edition of the EICMA Milan International Bicycle and Motorbike Exhibition ended on Sunday afternoon with yet another huge crowd packing thehalls of the new Milan exhibition centre. The biggest two-wheeled show in the world lived up to expectations yet again, satisfying exhibitors, trade visitors and the huge number of public visitors.
The final numbers for the show speak for themselves and left the organizers extremely satisfied: 500,000 visitors traveled to the show, a similar number to 2007 despite the effects of the current economic climate. Even so, the event ran smoothly with no problems traffic problems for both the public and the exhibitors. More visitors arrived by car this year but the time needed to leave the exhibition centre fell from over an hour to just 12 minutes.
“The amazing success of this year’s EICMA show shouldn’t distract us from our objectives of satisfying the companies in the two-wheel industry and of finding a perfect balance between the bicycle and motorbike sectors but I think the exhibitors are generally satisfied with the results of the show,” EICMA director general Costantino Ruggiero said.
“The event has definitely found its place even if we can perhaps consider creating a second event for the bicycle trade at an earlier date and creating better synergy between the bicycle and motorbike sectors, perhaps via common themes such as urban mobility.”
It was an emotional day for cycling fans at the show as Paolo Bettini rode his last race as a professional with Spain’s Juan Llaneras during the last day of the Milan Six-Day held inside the EICMA show. Earlier in the day he gave a moving final interview, revealing the special moments of his fantastic career. Bettini crashed heavily on the very first day of the Milan Six-Day and was taken to hospital after hitting his head but was determined to finish his last race in front of the Milan crowd.
Naturally the roar of motorbikes could also be heard on the last day of the show, with hundreds of bikers taking part in the "Rosa d’inverno" ride from central Milan to the exhibition centre. The two events were a perfect way to bring down the curtain on yet another successful show and look forward to the 67th edition in 2009 which will be held between November 10-15.