Between 1919 and 1925, the Milan-Naples street race was held annually. From mid-30s, the trail was extended to Milan-Taranto. With a break between 1940 and 1950, this long distance race was held 16 times until 1956. The distance of approximately 1.300km was covered almost non-stop in about 12 hours. In 1955 Bruno Francisci booked the victory on a Gilera 500/4. He had covered the distance in 11 hours, 5 minutes and 25 seconds, an average speed of 126.234 km/h. And this on the public road! From 1956 the race was banned by the ever-increasing speeds and insecurity. Equally this applied to the "Mille Miglia", the famous 1,000 miles car race. During the 50s of the last century, also riders on Moto Morini joined Milano-Taranto. The factory developed the "Rebello" 175cc specially for this purpose. The Italian rider Mario Preta covered the distance on his Moto Morini Rebello (175cc) in 12.08'.45".

Results of Moto Morini during the Milano-Taranto road races in the 1950s
From the early '50s of the last century, most Moto Morini motorcycles had a 175cc single 4-stroke engine. In '53 or '54 the factory presented the Rebello, a 175cc racer available for private riders. With that, the factory killed more than two birds with one stone: a racer for private riders to (also) demonstrate realibility. In case of good results, brand recognition and reputation (fast and reliable) would be infuenced positively. From 1954 excellent results were achieved with the Rebello. In 1956 - last year of the Milano-Taranto roadrace - places 1, 2 and 3 in the final classification of the 175cc were achieved. Of course this was a more than excellent result!

2012: 75th year of Milano-Taranto

Above the winners from 1937-1956 of the 500cc class

Lhs route map from the 50s, from the road races. Included are the check posts. Distance of the road race was app. 1.400km's (app. 875 miles).

175cc Rebello

Milano - Taranto 1954, 175cc class
Place	Rider	Brand	Time	Average speed (km/h)
1.	P. Maranghi	Mondial	13.19'09"	96,777km/h
2.	G. Ridenti	Mondial	13.45'05"
3.	P. Tramelli	Morini	13.49'11"
Milano - Taranto 1955, 175cc
1.	Mario Preta	Morini	12.08'45"	115,265km/h
2.	Osvaldo Perfetti	Bianchi	12.36'19"
3.	Walter Tassinari	Morini	12.43'21"
Milano - Taranto 1956, 175cc
1.	Franco Franceschini	Morini	12.18'31"	105,091km/h
2.	Virgilio Campana	Morini	12.23'54"
3.	Giampiero Zubani	Morini	12.37'38"
Clearly visible are the upgoing results: 1954, 3rd place, 1955 1st and 3rd, 1956: 1st, 2nd and 3rd!

Today
From 1986 onwards, 'Moto Club Veteran San Martino' organizes the rally Milano-Taranto for classic motorbikes. The route of app. 2,000km's (1,250 miles) has been devided into six stages of approximately 350km's (200 miles) each. The first stage starts - exactely like the former road race - at midnight. Fortunately, all other stages are ridden during the day. The route avoids motorways and follows secundary roads through the most beautiful regions of Italy. Many volunteers of local motorcycle clubs not only prepare for the catering during the stops, they really make you feel welcome in their surroundings. Hotels along the route are excellent.
Motorcycles and riders are divided into various classes, according to the engine size of the bike. If you join the Sportclass, you're into a kind of enduro class. It's not necessary to arrive first, but it is important to leave in time from the stops. Furthermore, once a day there is a kind of test to pass a line on the street as close as possible to the given time.

Mid-April I received a message from Claudia of the Italian organization to inform me that my participation was accepted. Early June, the starting numbers were published on the official website. My number: 117. After that I searched for the 'old' yellow plates of 2007 to bold on my bike. I bought new sticky numbers of 15cm. The yellow sign refers to the 'sport class. Pre 1960 bikes use white shields.
	Stages Milano-Taranto 2012:			Starting number from 2007,...
I	Milano - Vicenza:	337km	1st stage starts at midnight. Route along the westbank of Lake Garda. On the way to Vicenza one mountain of 1150m.	... new one below
II	Vicenza - Florence:	352km	From Vicenza. Mainly 'flat' roads. Last 100kms: 2 mountains of 1173 and 1020 meters.
III	Firenze - Pomezia: (Rome)	373km	Many hills, highest one app. 800 meters.
IV	Pomezia - Caserta: (Napels)	338km	Along the coast near Rome.
V	Caserta - Matera:	377km	Five passes through the Apennine Mountains. Up to 1150 meters.
VI	Matera - Taranto:	142km	Short trip, no mountains.
	Total:	1,919kms

Participants on Moto Morini
The list of participants on the official website of the organization showed that 9 participants registered with a Moto Morini. 1 Corsarino (50cc), 1 Corsaro (125cc). Noteworthy that in 2012 no Morini's were registered for the 175cc class. In the other rally for classic bikes, Moto Giro d'Italia, often the Morini 175cc riders took home the prices. In total, the number of riders of Milano-Taranto 2012 consisted of 155 solo motorcycles, 22 scooters, 4 sidecars, 31 modern bikes in the gourmet class. In 'my' class, the 350cc, 7 (!) out of 15 participants, or 47% on a Moto Morini 3 ½. Excellent proof of the suitablitity of the Morini 350 for this rally. Not only a very reliable bike, also the handling is superb.