The panorama of maxi enduros is changing radically and at the speed of light. More and more boys (and girls!) are approaching the plug to travel and discover the world. We talked about it with Simone Romano, organizer of Sterrare è Umano Trophy
June 5, 2023
The panorama of maxi enduros is changing radically and at the speed of light. More and more boys (and girls!) are approaching the plug to travel and discover the world. We talked about it with Simone Romano, organizer of Sterrare è Umano Trophy.
Simone, how many members did you have at the Sterrare e Umano Trophy?
Simone Romano: The event was limited in number and this year we stopped enrollments at 250 starters for the complete event and 30 seats for the one day. On Sunday 30 April there were 280.
What are the most represented motorcycles by type, engine capacity and brand?
Simone Romano: Being an event in the Adventouring category of the FMI, the most represented bikes are twin-cylinder bikes. KTM, YAMAHA and HONDA for the most part. All of large displacements.
What level of experience is required?
Simone Romano: A great scouting job was done this year and I have to thank my route setters for the excellent result obtained. We decided to deliver 3 tracks to the participants, ON OFF ROAD SOFT – MEDIUM – EXPERT where the ON OFF ROAD SOFT was mainly characterized by paved secondary roads and stretches of flat dirt roads so as to allow everyone to be able to participate. All the more reason this track was covered in pairs on the first day also by your correspondent Alberto Capra.
What is the success of your event due to?
Simone Romano: It wasn’t simple or obvious but a mix of factors was decisive. Firstly, the great passion that my staff and I employ to make all participants feel at ease, I believe comes through loud and clear to the recipients, also acting as a driving force. Then there is the territory: Abruzzo is a splendid land that knows how to give great emotions especially for those who discover it for the first time, it is undoubtedly one of the most fascinating regions of the peninsula, suspended between the peaks of the Apennines and the waters of the Adriatic Sea… being able to admire the grandeur of the sea from a mountainous terrace, I believe it is a rare prerogative of a territory that also knows how to amaze with its excellent food and wine. Last but not least, the obsessive attention to detail and the great guests that we try to involve every year in this “off-road party”, help to make the event even more attractive.
How do you combine off-road tourism with the increasingly frequent restrictions on the circulation of motor vehicles?
Simone Romano: We organize ourselves year after year by comparing ourselves with the Institutions and with the Park bodies to understand, by mutual agreement, which paths are viable or not. There is a strong synergy between Sterrare è Umano and the institutional bodies of Abruzzo also thanks to the support that the Region has decided to dedicate to us. The main objective of the SUT is to make our land known in the way that we enjoy most, off-road, and in total respect for the natural world and its ecosystems.
From left Simone Romano with Gio Sala
Average age in decline and girls on the rise
Let’s come to the most curious and beautiful aspect – for the future of motorcycling – of your event: what is the average age of the participants?
Simone Romano: This year the average number of participants has dropped considerably, we have calculated that it was 45 years for men and 34 for women.
Have you personally noticed an interest of the kids in the non-competitive adventure world?
Simone Romano: Definitely yes. There is a lot of interest from the youngest in a way of experiencing the motorbike that is not competitive but allows you to participate in events conceived and studied as if they were rallies.
Depends on what?
Simone Romano: The adventure world is having many variations, racing is not for everyone and many want to experience the atmosphere of the race but without the real competition. From our door it is increasingly interesting and stimulating to organize this kind of event that has the scent of rallies.
There are many girls. How many are there and do you know their average age?
Simone Romano: We have always had a strong interest in having girls participate in our events. Even the decision to choose Francesca Gasperi as our female testimonial from the first edition says a lot about our work. This year we had the pleasure of hosting the competition team from the “Tacco al Tassello” which gave even more pink prominence to our event. The mean age of the girls was 34 years.
What were their comments?
Simone Romano: All very positive and even more than I could have hoped for. Despite the climate, unfortunately, was not the best, the participants reported that the fun and satisfaction were maximum. I’d say it’s a great result for an organizer!
And as an organizer, what idea did you get?
Simone Romano: The world of women on motorcycles is the future of this sport and beyond. There are so many stereotypes about it. Even with the maxienduro school we see more and more girls on motorcycles and, I add, that during the courses they are more attentive and less exhibitionist than men. Perhaps it depends on a greater insecurity of the fair sex in juggling or on that extra quid that women often and willingly show they have. We’ll find out.
How do you see the future? How can we attract more and more young people to events that link tourism to motorcycles like you did?
Simone Romano: Motorcycles and freedom have no age, but capturing the curiosity of the youngest is a challenge that stimulates us. I believe that the quality of what is offered makes the difference and when I speak of quality, I fully include the relationship between man and nature as a source of regeneration and harmony. A relationship that has changed over time and which, in our opinion, needs to be recovered in its essence. This is exactly how I see the future, ours too: the rediscovery of authenticity which, on the saddle of a motorbike, can turn into an incomparable experience.
Photo by Massimo Di Trapani
Are maxi enduros for old men? If you think that, you’re off-road!
