Max Biaggi says goodbye to Ivano Beggio: he was like a father to me

Words of sorrow and sadness echo around the world over the death of the father of Aprilia, Ivano Beggio. Passing after a long illness at the age of 73 this morning (13 March), the former CEO of the manufacturer from Noale was more than just a great and brilliant entrepreneur for many. He was also a friend and father figure.

As he is remembered by Max Biaggi, a rider Aprilia launched in his SP 125 days all the way to his triumphs in World GP Motorcycle Racing with the RSV 250: "He was part of my life as an athlete - the ‘Corsair’ recalls - a sort of father in racing to me. He gave me his trust and a competitive bike when, after winning the European championship, also on Aprilia, I was little more than a boy. His was a brave choice, but also intelligent.
And these are the two aspects that I remember most clearly about Ivano Beggio - knowing how to place a lot of passion at the service of his skills in order to always find the strength and energy for an extra step. This was also instrumental in achieving my many wins with Aprilia”, Max concluded.

Mourning and sorrow for the Piaggio Group and Aprilia top brass as well, beginning with Roberto Colaninno, CEO and Managing Director of the Group of which Aprilia has been a part since 2004: “Ivano Beggio succeeded in combining the skills and courage of an entrepreneur with creativity and a genuine passion for motorcycles. He was a visionary ahead of his time and the extraordinary combination of these factors allowed him to create, practically from nothing, one of the most brilliant stories in the Italian motorcycle industry, making a dream come true. Continuing to race and improve the Aprilia brand around the world is the best way to honour his memory.”

Romano Albesiano, Aprilia Racing Sport Director: “You need to think about the champions that Aprilia has groomed and the victories it has collected to understand the importance of Ivano Beggio's project. Thinking about challenging the Japanese on the track, going up against the largest manufacturers in the world starting from zero and in the end winning means putting together mind and soul, great management skills and a lot of love for our world.”