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Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/128134
, Claudio Casfiglioni being ready for production, and are completely satisfied we can deliver a good quality product very soon. We've learned a lesson from the Brutale episode. But do you plan to extend the MV Agusta range beyond outright sportbikes? I'm not necessarily suggesting you might make an MV scooter, even if Tamburini is reputed to have his own ideas how one should be designed - but how about something like a four-cylinder sport tourer? No, I don't think so. We presently manufacture 5000 MV Agustas per year, which may rise to 10,000 or even 12,000 bikes annually very soon, with the existing range or derivatives of it, like the new F5 sportbike with 1000cc engine which we will launch at Intermot next September, and on which we already did a lot of development, with extremely satisfying results. But at that point we would have to take a strategic decision whether to increase production for such a prestige marque significantiy beyond that point, and by doing so run the risk of devaluing it. There's no point in thinking about bikes like an MV Agusta sport tourer until you make that decision. How about MV Agusta's possible entry into the 600 Supersport class with a three-cylinder F3, which I know you've been considering for some time? Is that ever likely to happen, now that Gilera has unveiled its Suzuki-engined 600? I regard this as a category which by its very nature requires that a company which enters it must go racing to promote the product - I find it hard to understand why Triumph produced the TT600 without doing that. But when and if MV Agusta returns to the racetrack, it must be in Grand Prix racing because that's where the marque belongs, both from a historical standpoint and for the question of prestige. Whether this is with a 18 DECEMBER 12.2001 • cue • e n three-, four- or five-cylinder bike, I can't say because we have no intention of returning to GP racing for at least the next two years, contrary to the rumors put about by others with a vested interest in seeing MV Agusta back on the racetrack. Yes, but MV Agusta will be ideally placed to enter World Superbike racing in 2004 under the new rules which have just been announced, since you'll by then have the new 1000cc FS sportbike in production. Will MV go Superbike racing? We have to consider this, because of the change of rules which favors our models and gives us an excellent promotional opportunity. Though my heart is with Grand Prix racing, I can't deny that Superbike racing sells product, and we have to be ready to take part in it on that basis. But with the new rules only just confirmed, I can't say yet exactly how we will approach this. However, I am quite confident that the merged Piaggio Group, including MV Agusta, will take part in the future in both Grand Prix and World Superbike racing, though it remains to be seen with which marque in which category, between Gilera and MV. According to Rosselli del Turco, the CEO of Piaggio, the merger between his company and yours is only the beginning - that you're jointly looking at other acquisitions. There are rumors that this might include Moto Guzzi, which you were both outbid for by Aprilia, which is now reputed to be suffering economic problems of its own, and may not now have the resources to see through the rebirth of Guzzi. Can you comment on that? I've heard those rumors too - but I don't think Aprilia is in such a desperate state as everyone likes to think. Beggio is a good businessman - Guzzi is not in our sights. Would it be true to say that the agreement with Piaggio has lifted a weight off your shoul- A __ s ders personally, gIVing you the promise of turning over day-to-day administration of the company to Piaggio management while you focus on the things you enjoy more and are good at - like focusing on product development? Yes - but with one downside: it's going to cause Tamburini a lot of grief! The exchange of ideas and opinions between the two of us and Galluzzi has produced what I believe it's fair to claim have been some extremely significant motorcycles, from the Ducati 916 to the MV Agusta F4, from the Ducati Monster to the Cagiva Raptor, which have brought a lot of satisfaction to customers around the world. With more freedom in terms of my own personal responsibilities to be able to concentrate on this dynamic creative process, I'm sure we shall be able to intensify the flow of new ideas. Apart from the new five-cylinder Honda, which I greatly admire, I haven't seen anything really new appear in terms of motorcycle design in the past four years - not since Tamburini re-invented the sportbike with the F4. I've seen only detail improvements, minor novelties - or else outright design monstrosities whose only virtue is that they're different. That's not to say we think at CRC the three of us are the only ones who can do this properly - but I think we can claim to be the most effective, the most innovative creative force in motorcycle design, in terms of new directions. So, for sure, once the merger with Piaggio is completed, this is something I'll be personally concentrating on much more in the future. And when that happens, I think we can promise that you'll see some beautiful new bikes which are literally out of the ordinary. It's what we're good at - and the merger with Piaggio will also provide the industrial basis for such products to be brought to a wider ~blic. _