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Luigi Rivola passed away suddenly. A journalist, former rider, one of the last motorcycling historians, Luigi was from Faenza but would always say he was from Brisighella. He began writing for MotoSport, was one the founders of La Moto, then he worked for Motosprint, followed by Super Wheel, until he was one of the first to debut on the Internet with Motonline and Due Ruote.
A few years ago, he published Classe 500, la regina del mondiale.
Luigi was a discreet person who always had a smile on his face. He was a reference point and the historical memory of our motorcycling world when not only Italians but the greats in motorcycling raced in the Mototemporada, in which he participated with Ducati and Suzuki.
The GPOne editorial staff sends its deepest condolences.
Luigi’s daughter, Maria, provided all the details of the funeral, which “will be held on Tuesday, March 19th at 10:15 am, at the Chiesa dei Cappuccini in Faenza (RA), in via Canal Grande 57. The viewing will be held the day before, Monday the 18th, starting at 7:30 am. To commemorate dad’s death, a donation can be made to the Fondazione Ospedale Pediatrico Meyer in Florence. We will provide you with the link for the donations. On the day of the funeral, an offerings box will be present for the pediatric hospital. Many thanks to whomever will be with us in thought."
Stefano Saragoni’s commemoration*
The last time we saw each other, he proudly showed me his vintage convertible. In recent years, he had broadened his passion for engines, doubling the wheels but without ever betraying his great interest in motorcycling history. It is no coincidence that he was an active exponent of the CRAME (Club Romagnolo Auto e Moto d'Epoca), which organizes one of the greatest exchange exhibitions at the Imola circuit, not far from his Brisighella.
Like many of us, Luigi Rivola associated his passion for motorbikes and racing with his passion for writing and, after a stint as a rider with good results, he dedicated himself full time to journalism, working on the editorial staff of Motosprint, which had been his home for several years. He was an historical memory for all of us, always ready to give us his precious advice. And, if he had any doubt, he would run to consult his well-stocked library, a collection of books that would be the envy of every enthusiast. The "Da Ago a Vale" collection, with which Motosprint retraced 35 years of the 500 World Championship, could never have been created without him and his extraordinary way of bringing back the atmosphere of Grand Prixs that today seem very distant.
He never got angry, not even when he had many pages to finish, while we made a racket around him with our chatter. The only time he silenced us, he had done so with an extraordinary remark, without raising his voice, asking only one question: "Don't you have a house to go to?" It was impossible not to love him.
Luigi had recently published a book for Nada on the history of the 500. When he was preparing it, we spoke several times, because we would discuss the years of racing that each knew better than the other. He always ended up talking about his memories and chatting, following what had tied us together in the years spent in the same editorial office. We had reconnected with "Polvere di stelle", the column that introduced us to the history of motorcycling like few others. He always surprised me on how he was linked to the past and yet open to the future, to technology, to new things, with an inexhaustible curiosity. Farewell Luigi. Whether you’re on two or four wheels doesn't matter. Ride in peace.
*Historical Director of Motosprint
