The historic Italian port city of Senigallia hosted this year’s 30th anniversary of the European HOG Rally, held from June 6 to 9. The touring rally regularly attracts tens of thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts, but this Italian edition exceeded all expectations with an estimated 100,000 Harley-Davidson enthusiasts and Harley Owners Group members participating throughout the three-day event.
More than 20,000 riders from across Italy, Europe and beyond attended for four days of celebration, turning the city into a Mecca for Harley-Davidson enthusiasts. The main event areas were Piazza Garibaldi, Foro Annonario and the gardens of the huge medieval fortress ‘Rocca Roveresca’, with attractions including a HOG hangout zone and a Harley-Davidson Expo showcasing the latest 2024 models.
Celebrating the new era of touring performance, technology and design, the new Street Glide and Road Glide were on display, featuring their upgraded Milwaukee-Eight 117 V-Twin engine. More than 3,000 people took a free demo ride, and fans of big all-roads took their chance in the exclusive Offroad Experience, organized by the Italian Di Traverso Adventouring team, led by flat track legend Marco Belli.
These popular tours took place on the Le Marche region’s most beautiful Strade Bianche – white gravel trails that took riders far off the beaten track – demonstrating the versatility of the Pan America 1250™.
On Friday, the Custom Bike Show, sponsored by Metzeler, offered visitors countless crazy creations from all over the European continent. Italian customer Mirko Perugini won the overall top prize and the Metzeler People’s Choice Award went to a popular winner, Diane Halhead from Great Britain. No fewer than 300 visitors cast their votes and her creation emerged as the winner.
Saturday’s spectacular parade was led by Harley-Davidson VIPs, including Jochen Zeitz, CEO of Harley-Davidson, and Karen Davidson, Global HD Ambassador, great-granddaughter of founder William A. Davidson and the daughter of William G. “Willie G.” Davidson, Chief Styling Officer Emeritus.
Their presence emphasized the importance of the rally worldwide, and not just in Europe. HOG Chapter representatives and flag bearers led the parade from the iconic Rotunda, a beautifully picturesque location. Many riders took part in the 33 km long parade, and according to local police the roadside was quite busy with spectators.
No HOG event would be complete without an extensive entertainment line-up, and this year’s rally presented its guests with an impressive Italian and international line-up, hosted by Italian Virgin Radio DJ Ringo. The stage included The Picturebooks, Eric Steckel, The Rainband, Marky Ramone’s Blitzkrieg, Heavenix, Timothy Cavichini and the Gang and Giuseppe Scarpato.
During the event, Harley-Davidson was pleased to confirm that the Harley-Davidson Euro Festival will return to Porte Grimaud on the Golfe de Saint-Tropez from 8 to 11 May 2025. The Euro Festival was last held in 2018 and returns due to huge demand from HD riders for a big celebration of music and motorcycle culture. Euro Festival has regularly attracted more than 30,000 visitors in the past and promises to be a huge and unmissable season opener in 2025.
“The response from riders to this fantastic event in Italy has been overwhelming, from our local riders to riders who have traveled from far and wide. We’ve welcomed visitors from all over the world, from Brazil to New Zealand, which really demonstrates the incredible sense of community that the Harley Owners Group embodies. I would like to express my special thanks to the municipality of Senigallia and the Le Marche region, all our event partners who made this event possible, our sponsors and especially to everyone who was part of this great rally. See you at the European Bike Week 2024, and of course at the Harley-Davidson Euro Festival to be held on the French Riviera in May 2025!”
The next motorcycle event on the European Harley-Davidson calendar is European Bike Week at Lake Faaker See in Austria, from September 3 to 8. This event attracts more than 100,000 visitors every year. The location of the 2025 European HOG Rally will be announced soon.
– Thanks for information from Motorfreaks.