The Governor of the Lombardy region Roberto Formigoni was the official starter of the Milan Six-Day on Tuesday morning in Hall 7, while on Wednesday morning, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and the mayor of Milan Letizia Moratti will officially open the 66th edition of the EICMA Milan International Bicycle and Motorbike show, that will attract thousands of visitors before the close on Sunday.
Despite bad weather and the first two days of the show reserved for trade visitors and media, a huge crowd filled the halls, curious to see new models from BMW, KTM, Aprilia, Guzzi, Gilera, Vespa and Piaggio.
Visitors studied the new technology on show and also rubbed shoulders with new 250cc world champion Marco Simoncelli, who stands out from the crowd because of his curly hair. The excitement is also building for the expected arrival of Valentino Rossi on Friday and other Italian celebrities such as Valeria Marini.
The Milan show also hosts most of the biggest bicycle companies in the world, while the Milan Six-Day offers the thrill of track racing in Hall 7. Unfortunately the first day also included a moment of pain, when Paolo Bettini, the star of the event, crashed heavily and hit his head on the inner track wall, breaking his helmet. He quickly recovered and was taken to hospital but seems likely to continue racing.
The action also begins outdoors on Thursday, when the Motolive arena comes alive for live shows for whoever loves extreme racing and stunt riding.