The twenty-six-year history of Moto Club Umbria is based on the solidity of a working group that has always included new figures without ever really changing its core or the founding principles underlying this team.
We found ourselves twenty years ago around the same idea: to organise events that could be opportunities to get to know the area and to pour into the event structure all the organisational skills we had acquired in the field and strengthened by the specific professional skills of each of us.
interview with Filippo Ceccucci
President of the Moto Club Umbria
Lately it's not easy to find Filippo Ceccucci, the president of the Moto Club Umbria, standing still. Ever since he picked up his new KTM 690 Enduro from the Perugia dealership Racestore he has immediately put it to work, to the point that by the end of October he had practically already designed the routes for the 2020 Umbria Rally. As the quarantine and related restrictions came to an end, it was immediately up and running again, this interview being taken just before the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Close cooperation and frequent contact have given rise to great friendships that have helped to strengthen the group's synergies to the point of making it an agile, coordinated and effective organisational machine.
Founded in 1999 by the same management team that always works directly on the events, today it counts on a formidable staff capable of covering all the roles of the event, from motorbike reconnaissance, to assistance on the route, passing through a logistics team, the Media-Team and expert wine and food experts know how to take care of hospitality.
In almost twenty years of activity in total harmony with the territory, the Moto Club Umbria has built solid synergic relationships of esteem and collaboration with bodies, institutions and administrations, which always respond enthusiastically to Moto Club Umbria's proposals.
For over twenty years, all activities of the Umbria Moto Club have enjoyed the patronage of the Umbria Region and the municipalities concerned.
our history
1999
Let's get started!
In November 1999, Moto Club Umbria was founded with the intention of organizing Rally dell'Umbria. Its founders had already participated in many competitions, both as riders and as organizers assisting other Moto Clubs and the F.M.I. itself.
2000
the first Rally dell'Umbria
the first edition of the Rally dell'Umbria takes place, starting from Mantignana, it is still a simple and immature race, but already a success.
The winner was Matteo Graziani (KTM 300), second Luca Tassi (KTM 520) and third Franco Dal Bello (Husqvarna 125).
As a sporting activity, the Moto Club Umbria won its first two Italian Championships, thanks to Luca Tassi, winner of the Assoluta Gruppo B (series bikes) and the B3 class. Good placings also by the other entrants, Alessandro Montagni, Fabio Perugini and Stefano Gianassi.
2001
Rally dell'Umbria is growing
The second Rally dell'Umbria starts in Pietralunga (PG) and then moves to Corciano (Colle della Trinità) to host the last day of the Motorally Championship. It is the only edition to be held in October, instead of the traditional end of April/beginning of May.
The rally becomes much more mature, and wins admiration for the beauty of the routes, the accuracy of the road book, the technical validity and the absolute focus on safety in the special stages.
Victory for Luca Tassi (Vor 400) ahead of Matteo Graziani (KTM 300) and Enzo Manenti (Vor 503). Agonistically, the Moto Club Umbria won two more Italian Championships, thanks again to Luca Tassi (400) and Stefano Gianassi (125 motorbike).
2002
Rally dell'Umbria launches the first European Championship
Off-road Raid
the first edition of the Rally dell'Umbria takes place, starting from Mantignana, it is still a simple and immature race, but already a success.
The winner was Matteo Graziani (KTM 300), second Luca Tassi (KTM 520) and third Franco Dal Bello (Husqvarna 125).
As a sporting activity, the Moto Club Umbria won its first two Italian Championships, thanks to Luca Tassi, winner of the Assoluta Gruppo B (series bikes) and the B3 class. Good placings also by the other entrants, Alessandro Montagni, Fabio Perugini and Stefano Gianassi.
2003
the fourth Rally dell'Umbria
The fourth Umbria Rally starts in the historic centre of Perugia and is based at the Hotel Quattro Torri, also in Corciano.
Technically the rally is now firmly considered the most valid, the cancellation of a special stage with very complex navigation causes discontent among many top riders, opening up the chances of victory to a promising and very good young man: Marco Falappi (KTM 250), second Adriano Groppo (Yamaha 400) and third Roberto Mandelli (KTM 525).
2004
the consecration
The fifth Rally dell'Umbria sees the beginning of the collaboration of the Moto Club Umbria with the Italian Army, which chooses the Umbrian race to promote its activities; it is a twinning that testifies once again to the great organisational quality.
The municipalities are fighting over the possibility of having service parks, Marsciano, Paciano and Citerna create rest areas that are a spectacle within a spectacle.
Victory for Federico Mancinelli (KTM 525) who preceded Matteo Graziani (KTM 525) and Paolo Ceci (Honda 250).
2005
the last competitive Rally dell'Umbria
The sixth edition of Rally dell'Umbria is the end of the competitive history.
The race is splendid, with service parks in formidable locations, such as Piazza San Benedetto in Norcia or the Roman Theatre in Gubbio.
The Fabrizio Meoni Memorial, dedicated to a great friend who recently passed away, allows the cost of an entry fee to be donated to the 'Solidarity in Good Hands' foundation he founded.
A formidable Federico Mancinelli (KTM 525) won the VI Rally dell'Umbria, ahead of Matteo Graziani (KTM 525) and Alex Zanotti (Honda 450).
People are starting to think about something different from the usual Rally formula...
2006
the year of doubt
By now, the seventh Rally dell'Umbria is already well underway with as many as four days of competition, two special stages exceeding 60 kilometres and the others over 30, but disagreements with IMF rally management become irremediable.
The Moto Club is forced to make a painful but unavoidable decision: the cancellation of the 7th Umbria Rally.
2007
Anàbasi 1000, the extreme rally
Anàbasi, the 1000, was born from the experience of the Umbria Rally!
A completely new concept of rallying: no more competition, just a challenge against oneself, against the physical and mental fatigue of finding one's way along three stages of 400, 440 and 200 kilometres in increasing difficulty, knowing where one starts but not where one finishes. In its own way, even though it is not a race, it is an extreme challenge. The concept is very popular and many people want to see how it develops (including high-level sponsors). Unfortunately, some people don't like it, whether out of envy, malice or whatever, but the fact is that with a totally disproportionate deployment of forces, the police decided to stop everything, without listening to reason or checking permits, convinced of the bad faith of Moto Club. It took more than five years and two levels of judgement (the second confirming the first) to prove before the law that everything was in order and that the action had been not only disproportionate but also unjust. For Moto Club, Umbria is still a very hard blow.
2009
Regularity Group 5
The Moto Club Umbria discovered a new world to experience motorcycling: the fascination of races with 'vintage' motorbikes. After having helped, witnessed and participated in races of other Moto Clubs, it decided to organise a two-day trial for the FMI Group 5 Vintage Regularity Trophy in Passignano sul Trasimeno.
The race is still remembered as one of the best ever organised, in terms of routes, special stages and environment.
2010
Another splendid Group 5 regularity race
The Moto Club Umbria discovered a new world to experience motorcycling: the fascination of races with 'vintage' motorbikes. After having helped, witnessed and participated in races of other Moto Clubs, it decided to organise a two-day trial for the FMI Group 5 Vintage Regularity Trophy in Passignano sul Trasimeno.
The race is still remembered as one of the best ever organised, in terms of routes, special stages and environment.
2013
Anàbasi 300 is born
A new adventure awaits Moto Club Umbria, which is organising the’Anàbasi 300 – The Umbria Rally, another new concept in events: a road-book motorcycle rally aimed at non-competitive enthusiasts, seeking above all to promote friendship and passion, the feelings that should always unite true motorcyclists.
After the great success of the Anàbasi 300, this new concept of motorcycling continues with the Anàbasi Boòn dedicated to larger and heavier motorbikes (hence the name, meaning 'of the cows'), scheduled for 28 and 29 September.
2014
the second Anàbasi Boòn
The second edition of Anàbasi Boòn is scheduled for 7 and 8 June. Yet another novelty was expected in October, with the Mucche dell'Appennino (Cows of the Apennines), included in the F.M.I. High Altitude tourist calendar and once again dedicated to 'non-competitive' enduro motorbikes (minimum weight 150 kg), and which included a long route almost entirely at night to discover Umbria's most fascinating roads, but evidently failed to attract enough participants, so it was sadly cancelled.
The Moto Club Umbria's roll of honour gets its sixth Italian Championship title thanks to Nicola Morgantini.
2015
the concept of Anàbasi grows
Anàbasi 300 – Rally dell'Umbria is back, a new attempt to relaunch rally navigation according to the criteria of Moto Club Umbria.
Appointment for the opening of the season: 28 February and 1 March in Piegaro.
The third edition of the Anàbasi Boòn will take place on 12/13 June, starting once again from Pietralunga, with the inclusion of the night race (called 'Mucche dell'Appennino') and the final 'hard' section (called 'Toro dell'Appennino').
2016
the third editions of Anàbasi
The programme that was successful in the previous year is repeated: again Anàbasi 300 - Rally dell'Umbria at the end of February in Piegaro and Anàbasi Boòn in June in Massa Martana, including Mucche dell'Appennino and Toro dell'Appennino.
2017
the consecration of the Anàbasi formula
The formula of the Anàbasi 300 - Rally dell'Umbria is now a proven success: the number of entrants is even reached before the end of the year! For many fans, the Anàbasi 300 at the end of February in Piegaro is now an unmissable appointment to get their season off to the best possible start. On the other hand, the Anàbasi Boòn is taking a break, but it is a pause for thought, because following an important meeting with Federmoto President Giovanni Copioli (who won his class at the Umbria Rally) the idea was born to recreate the Umbria Rally, dedicated this time to the FMI 'Turismo Adventouring' calendar. The news is one of those that make people talk, and not a little!
2018
back Rally dell'Umbria
A year of changes: the more than confirmed Anàbasi 300, an event that presents itself as a great classic of the discipline, loses the name "Rally dell'Umbria": the number is reached within a few days of the opening of entries, confirming the extraordinary welcome that Anàbasi 300 has in the hearts of fans. A mild and sunny Saturday is followed by a snowy Sunday, which many face for the first time, and the 2018 edition, too, becomes famous!
The Umbria Rally is back: 170 participants converge and fill the historic centre of Perugia with their motorcycles, which are extremely diverse: although there are a few 125s, most of the motorcycles present are twin-cylinder models. The first re-run of the Umbria Rally is a resounding success: the 1,000 km of Umbrian landscapes delight the participants, and the local authorities fall in love with this new, major city event.
2019
The Lupi & Bisonti Routes are born
The Moto Club Umbria confirms its two now famous events, in the same places and at the same times: Anàbasi 300 from 22 to 24 February in Piegaro, Rally dell'Umbria from 25 to 28 April 2019 in Perugia.
This is not all, because with its usual meticulous passion and experience, the Moto Club Umbria, together with other sports clubs, gives life to an entire calendar under the banner of UISP Motorismo: on the concept of Anàbasi 300, 'le Vie dei Lupi' are born, while Rally dell'Umbria remains the reference event for 'le Vie dei Bisonti'.
2020
the year of Covid
The ways of Lupi & Bisonti are a confirmed, efficient and proactive partnership: for the Moto Club Umbria, too, 2020 begins with participation in MBE Moto Bike Expo in Verona, with a stand entirely dedicated to adventuring welcomed by the general public with extraordinary enthusiasm.
2020 looks set to be another year of growth, with registrations already sold out since December and the eighth edition of Anàbasi 300 takes place between 28 February and 1 March with the usual extraordinary success.
A few Then the unthinkable happens: lockdown is imposed. The date set for the 9th Umbria Rally (15-18 April 2020) is thrown into doubt and Moto Club Umbria, well aware of the seriousness of the national situation, immediately postpones the date of the Umbria Rally. The experience, organisational skills and pragmatism of Moto Club Umbria are put to good use in refining the event (which had already been planned in detail in February) and, after much consideration, they decide to postpone the Umbria Rally to 27-30 August: after all, the 2001 edition did not take place in April either! The 150 participants competing in the limited-entry event are well aware that the Umbria is also splendid in summer: restrictions on international travel are limiting the number of foreign participants, while Italians are flocking from every region to enjoy an event that is confirmed as one of the most important and beloved in Europe.
2021
the pandemic rages on
2021 is a difficult year: the pandemic and its effects reach their peak and the Moto Club Umbria does not change its attitude to the seriousness of the situation: Anàbasi 300 is postponed to 2022 and Rally dell'Umbria takes place again in the summer, when it is possible to plan and develop a large event safely: the experience of the previous year teaches that a 'collective' event can be experienced individually with great satisfaction, again it is record attendance with a significant increase in foreign participants, who reach 15% of the starters.
2022
a great comeback
The year 2022 opens with a glimmer towards a return to a normality that is as distant as it is long-awaited, and Anàbasi 300 finally returns to open the 2022 rally season: entries sell out again within a day, and many of those excluded regret not having been timely.
The #12 edition is designed with the usual care and experience but perhaps benefits from an irrepressible enthusiasm due also to the stop imposed the previous year: new areas are opened up, a few 'spicier' stretches are added, the road-book at 100 metres is as precise and immediate as ever: the longest stage, on Saturday, is a masterpiece that ends at nightfall with the 100 participants as tired as ever.
Rally dell'Umbria sees its #11 edition finally return in April: the summer run of the previous two editions has produced some reflection and was an important experience for the return to the spring date. The tourist aspect of Rally dell'Umbria continues to shine, this year passing through Piazza Grande in Gubbio during the first stage, marked by capricious weather that makes the route lively and anything but boring!
2023
outside the borders
Anàbasi 300 has now become a cultural phenomenon: this time, registration closed on the day of the opening, rewarding the constant and unheralded work of the Moto Club Umbria organisation.
The Umbria Rally confirms its status as a major European event, with registrations selling out in just one month, bolstered by 30% foreign participants. The ’snacks“ in Volterrano, Cerreto di Spoleto, Rocca Sant'Angelo (aperitif at the end of the stage) and Deruta are a great success, strengthening cooperation with local businesses, and not even the hysterical reaction of a few powerful figures, who prevent the return to the historic centre for the arrival on Friday and departure on Saturday, can spoil the atmosphere. As always, with enormous pragmatism, the organisers managed to resolve these issues quickly and without fuss.
A small revolution is underway: for the first time, the roadbook is available not only in paper format, but also digitally.
2024
further confirmation
Another record: in just a few hours, the available places for Anàbasi 300, which returns to Piegaro for the tenth time, are snapped up. A success achieved without advertising or false promises, working as enthusiasts for enthusiasts. The reputation of Moto Club Umbria is now that of friends who invent and curate something for the enjoyment of other friends, without hypocrisy.
The Umbria Rally is enjoying another landmark edition. While many wonder how it can improve every year, the route over Monte Tolagna provides an incredible and unequivocal answer. Refreshments are available in Pietralunga, Bagnara di Nocera Umbra, Cannara (aperitif at the end of the stage) and in the splendid Piazza del Popolo in Todi.
2025
Anàbasi 300 breaks records
Rally dell'Umbria arrives in the Marche region
Just 40 minutes to sell out all the seats: a speed that leaves even the organisers of the’Anàbasi 300. While we would like to welcome everyone, the success of the event is also due to the limited number of participants. This is the eleventh edition in Piegaro, but it will be the last: before the summer, the hotel and restaurant ’da Elio“, the historic and beloved venue, will close due to the age of the managers, but the sweet memory of the courtesy and family hospitality that welcomed so many motorcyclists will remain.
For the first time, the digital roadbook is also available for the Anàbasi 300, but as usual in the style of Moto Club Umbria, allowing anyone to try it for free even with an Android device they already own, whether it be a tablet or phone. You don't need to pay a fortune to try navigating at our events.
The Rally dell'Umbria celebrates the twinning of Perugia's Fontana Maggiore with Fabriano's Fonte Sturinalto, which not only reaffirms the almost thousand-year-old friendship between the two cities, but also receives the patronage of the Marche Region, which is enthusiastic about hosting the event. In addition to Fabriano, the “merende” (snacks) are in the unforgettable Roccatamburo, a small village that comes back to life for the Rally dell'Umbria in an atmosphere that is even moving, then again in Deruta, which becomes a regular fixture for the conclusion of Saturday's stage, and Monteleone d'Orvieto, which, with its balcony overlooking the landscape, offers participants in the 52% coming from across the border other unforgettable moments.
a selected press review... since 1998!
Motocross August 1998: Rally Sardinia, Filippo Ceccucci and the Husqvarna TE610E
Backoff February 2002
Motocross June 2003
Off-road Motorcycling June 2003
Off-road Motorcycling June 2004
Motocross June 2004
Off-road Motorcycling June 2005
Motitalia May 2005
Motosprint May 2005
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