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Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/127413
~ DIRTT CK Bologna Motor Show Exhibition ShortTrack RA ~ events, while Texan Hale 's 5-1-4 showings earned him second overall. Oklahoman Jones was awarded third overall after finishing third, second and fifth , while Texan Poovey, winner of the last main event, was relega ted to sixth overa ll after finish ing ninth in the first main and failing to qualify for the second. "That was the ha rdest th ing I ever had to do," sai d H art, " H ey, does th is mean that I'm World Champion?" Each day' s program also included an Durelle and Donahue shi pped their Gran? National/Camel Pro Series ma chi nes overseas and awed the cr?wd wit h the throaty exhaust notes emitted by the V-twins. " It 's almost easier to ride a big bik e on this track," commen ted Durelle. "T hey're heavier, so they just blast through all the ru ts and over the ho les," said Donahue. T h e Italian p ro m o ters were impressed by the 750s, and plan to construct a half-mile track for next "The taste of home; the Americans, especially Poovey (shown ) were happy to find a McDonaIds in central Bologna. 36 Ital y vs. America race th at included th e Italian riders an d four volunteer American s. Mos t of th e Americans refused to compete agains t the wildriding Italian riders; most notably Hale, who was in jured in a crash wi th an Italian rider at last year' s event. "Oh, no , not me," said Hale, as he rubbed the wrist that he broke . 12 months earlier. Hart, Aseltine, Hill and Graybeal volunteered to rid e with the Italians and " up hold Am erican honor" North American honor, in light of th e fact that Aseltine is a Canadian. In the first of th e two Italy vs , America mains, Aseltine started back in the pack and worked hi s way up to th e rear tire of lead er Salvatelli Paolo by the last lap. The two rid ers put quite som e di stance on the rest of the field , and the crowd held its breath as a lastlap pass was expected from Aseltine. It never happened, though, as Paolo crossed the line first with his fist in the air. . " I am so happy," said Paolo, a former Italian speedway cham pion. " It feels great to win over the Ameri cans." When Aseltine returned to the p its , he was surrounded by the other American rid ers who demanded to know why he didn't make the pass. " Oh , you know us Canadians," joked the personable Aseltine, wh o hails from Misson, British Columbia. " We have soft hearts." Aseltine showed no mercy in the next day's final , however, and went on to win by a large margin over Hart, Hill, Graybeal and the Italians. Also featured on each day was a Harley- Davidson XR750 exhibition ride. Donahue Harley-Davidson riders Darling (1 6) and Poovey (6) do their best to negotiate the ruts that formed at the exit of turn two. nightclubs, and yes " eve n a McDonalds. After six days in a foreign country, most of the riders were anxious to return home to their friends and loved ones. Perhaps Poovey summed it up best when he smiled and said, .. Absence makes the h eart grow fonder." 0'1 (Above) Darling, Atherton, and Joe Houpt eye a car at the motor show. (Right) Riders were required to crate their bikes to be shipped overseas.Jones Oeft) and George Garvis Sr. prepare to uncrate their Honda XR600. year 's event so that the big bik es can be used. When not on the track, th e riders invaded the Motor Show to catch an eyefu l of the many forign cars and motorcycles on display, often a ttracting much attention wh erever the y went. When compared to the sullen , quiet dispositions of the natives, the cheerful and enthusiastic Americans stood out like sore thumbs. In the evenings, the small town of Bologna was invaded by the American contingent, who despite the langu age barrier, managed to find the stores ,