The figures exceed all expectations, but they say a lot, they don’t say everything. At the root of the BFI’s enormous popularity are the credibility and increasingly rigorous work of the organizers, the Persello family, the soul of the Custom label; free admission and location in the calendar and on the territory. The Ascension Day long weekend, from May 9 to 12, welcomes the opening of the tourist season and, thanks to the summer sunshine, brings many motorcyclists from all over Europe and beyond to Lignano, with a near sell-out. The BFI, which this year also had the pleasure of having showgirl and actress Justine Mattera as its godmother, thus confirms its role as the driving event of Friuli-Venezia Giulia, for which it generates a significant economic induction that this year could exceed 20 million euros (it was 18 in 2022).
Numbers aren’t everything, it was said. At Biker Fest International, enthusiasts gladly return because they know they will find a friendly atmosphere and an increasingly heterogeneous public, also attracted by the countless opportunities for fun provided by an increasingly complete offer, which for years has gone far beyond the “welcome bikers” philosophy. The orientation towards the two-wheeled market and the general public is increasingly finding favor with motorcyclists, as demonstrated by the 5,000 road tests carried out over three days: a figure that makes the BFI one of the most popular demonstration centers in Europe and an unmissable meeting for the brands, who want to promote the year’s novelties at the most important moment.
The great motoring festival highlighted the beauty of the region with the MotoTours, a series of itineraries dedicated to the many motorcycle tourists, while also pleasing the “old school” off-road enthusiasts with a double heat edition (day and night) of the now traditional Tassellata Ride. It brought together 537 American cars in the spectacular 29th US Car Reunion, the main Italian gathering reserved for cars with stars and stripes, alongside the present and future represented by e-Mobility, and the past of 50cc 2-stroke vintage cars, with the absolute novelty of the 50cc Fever Fest. It chose its “Miss” with the Pin Up Contest, kept the fun going with the off-road displays of Ape Cross, Garden Tractors and 4x4s, and made the audience go wild to the sound of 11 rock concerts, considering only the live ones on the Village’s Main Stage. Saturday Light Fever, the thrilling Saturday parade involving thousands of motorcycles, once again thrilled bikers and spectators with a turnout that was simply unbelievable.
Staying true to itself, the BFI introduces new elements every year that enrich it with new reasons for interest. Like the Chicano Show, dedicated to Harley-Davidsons customized in the Mexican style, one of the most popular trends of the moment. The invitation-only event further enhanced the quality of the most historic Custom Bike Show in Bota (first held in 1987), which every year brings together the best custom realities of the Italian Motorcycle Championship on the launch pad of the AMD World Championship of Custom Bike Building. This year’s jury also included representatives of the Twin Club MC of Norrtälje, which has been organizing the continent’s most historic event in the Swedish town of the same name since 1971.
For the success of this edition, the organizers would like to thank the numerous car manufacturers, economic operators, local authorities, motorcycle clubs, sponsors SMP, Bardhal and Metzeler and, above all, the multitude of enthusiasts who have contributed to making the BFI the number one outdoor motorcycling event in Italy and one of the most important in Europe. And as with all good stories, the end of the 38th Biker Fest International already heralds the anticipation of the third edition of Italian Bike Week, scheduled from September 12 to 15.
Source:Moto.it