• July 23, 2022

Riders of the Piovaticci Grand Prix

Over the weekend we were lucky enough to be invited by 3-time Grand Prix World Champion Eugenio Lazzarini to take some photos of a couple of his small capacity ‘Piovaticci’ Grand Prix machines (50cc, 125cc) which are currently being restoring in Pesaro, Italy. Lazzarini had a colorful 15-year career riding among others; Derbi, Morbidelli, Maico, Kreidler and Garelli, winning at the end of the 70s a 125cc title (Morbidelli) and two 50cc titles (IPREM/Kreidler). However, in the early 70’s he rode for a little known brand called Piovaticci.

Piovaticci was started by Egidio Piovaticci and Eugenio Lazzarini himself and produced 125cc and 250cc GP machines that competed with frankly mediocre results against the more established teams of Morbidelli and Maico. In 1974, Jan Thiel and Martin Mijwaart of the successful Dutch motorcycle manufacturer GP Jamathi were hired to help develop a 50cc monocoque framed racing bike. The development of this bike produced an innovative and highly competitive machine that resulted in a 2nd place finish in the 1975 season. Unfortunately, at the end of the ’75 season, due to financing problems, Piovaticci was dissolved and the racing division was sold. to Bultaco; the 50cc design won championships in the hands of riders like Angel Nieto (in fact, the Bultaco engines were cast from molds taken from the Piovaticci engine!).

The smaller 50cc machine is built around a stainless steel monocoque chassis with the 50cc engine slung below. The engine was machined from aluminum and its horizontal cylinder (like the bottom cylinder of a Ducati twin) allowed the bikes to have an extremely low vertical profile. Cast magnesium Ringhini wheels were the first to be seen on a 50cc GP bike, Ceriani forks/single disc brake at the front and a single Koni shock at the rear kept the handling in check. It produced 15-20 hp at 16,000 rpm and weighed around 50 kg; Check baggage between tracks!

The more conventional 125cc Piovaticci is based on a tubular steel frame. The engine was a modified Maico conventional two-stroke unit. Ceriani forks and Fontana-braked spoked wheels organized the handling. The fiberglass body was molded with recesses to accommodate the rider’s knees and elbows; allowing a more aerodynamic profile. The 125 did not achieve the success of the 50cc, reaching 5th place in the 1973 and ’75 championships.

Eugenio and his two brothers Enzo and Giancarlo (both successful racers in their own right) now run a successful motorcycle dealership in Pesaro. His website has some interesting bits and pieces; a small online “museum” of his racing exploits and information about the brothers themselves. Enzo Lazzarini has also written a book called Lazzarini: Storie di uomini, pensieri, vittorie, emozioni which chronicles his career as a driver. Many thanks to the Lazzarini brothers and Mattia for leaving us alone with the bikes!

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