Motor Valley from Romagna to the Riviera: an itinerary through the Riders’ Land, featuring Misano World Circuit, motorcycle landmarks, and 04 Park

Foto vintage del circuito cittadino di Misano e di un motociclista.

The Motor Valley map comes full circle heading towards the Adriatic coast. After crossing Via Emilia through Bologna, Modena, Reggio Emilia, and Parma, the itinerary enters Romagna. Here, motorsport passion shifts frequency: four wheels give way to two, and engineering merges with a culture of hospitality, warm smiles, and outdoor life.

Known internationally as the Riders’ Land, this region has raised generations of riders, mechanics, and designers. It is a land where speed is a daily habit breathed in on the Apennine passes, burnt into sea-view curbs, and celebrated at the table over piadina and a glass of Sangiovese.

Here is the complete itinerary to discover iconic locations, official museums, private collections of Motor Valley partners, and new off-road frontiers.

Two-wheel sanctuaries: the Simoncelli and Motorcycle museums

The deep bond between Romagna and motorcycling is expressed through exhibition spaces created to preserve the historical memory of racing and its most beloved figures.

In Coriano, a hilltop village just minutes from Riviera beaches, the Marco Simoncelli Museum – La Storia del Sic traces the rider’s personal life and career. The halls display asphalt-scratched leather suits, historic helmets, early minimotos, and official race bikes from the 250cc and MotoGP classes. A photo gallery and a replica of his original pit garage complete a tour designed to capture the authenticity and spontaneity that made Simoncelli an unforgettable global sports figure.

Interni del Museo Ducati a Borgo Panigale, con delle moto esposte.

Visit the Marco Simoncelli Museum – The Story of Sic

In Rimini, along the highway leading up to San Marino, the National Motorcycle Museum houses over 250 vintage motorcycles documenting the technical evolution of the industry from the late 19th century to the present day. The collection is one of Europe’s most comprehensive, featuring rare models from historic brands such as Frera, Werner, Moto Guzzi, Gilera, and Ducati. A dedicated section highlights Bimota, the Rimini-based brand that revolutionized road and race bike chassis architecture starting in the 1970s.

Interni del Museo Ducati a Borgo Panigale, con delle moto esposte.

Visit the National Motorcycle Museum

Misano World Circuit: speed by the sea

The beating heart of coastal motorsport is the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli in Misano Adriatico. Designed in the early 1970s, the facility boasts a unique geographical setting right next to the Riviera’s beaches and resort infrastructure, forging a unique connection between competitive racing and seaside hospitality.

Every year, the circuit hosts the MotoGP and WorldSBK World Championships. Throughout the rest of the season, the track operates non-stop, hosting international car races (such as the GT World Challenge), open track days for enthusiasts, and high-performance/defensive driving courses by “Guidare Pilotare,” founded by former Formula 1 driver Siegfried Stohr.

Today, the facility comes alive year-round even with engines off. MWC Square has become a true public motor plaza just steps from the pit lane: a dedicated fan village featuring technical gear shops, driving simulators, and dining spots. To step into restricted backstage areas, the Misano World Circuit Tour takes visitors behind the scenes of a race weekend, opening access to race control, pit garages, the pit lane, and the official podium.

Misano World Circuit Tour

GuidarePilotare Courses

And if watching from the grandstands isn’t enough, the Misano Kart Experience lets you hit the track yourself. An outdoor karting circuit located right inside the venue is designed for chasing lap times just inches off the ground, including night sessions illuminated by Riviera floodlights.

Interni del Museo Ducati a Borgo Panigale, con delle moto esposte.

Misano Kart Experience

Off-road excellence: 04 Park Monte Coralli

Heading inland into the hills of Faenza, Romagna’s motor passion expands into off-road terrain. 04 Park Monte Coralli is a futuristic project led by former 125cc World Champion and MotoGP rider Andrea Dovizioso.

The venue, fully revamped to serve as an international benchmark and Official Federal Technical Center of the FMI (Italian Motorcycle Federation), spans a hilly area dedicated to off-road disciplines:

  • Motocross Track: A technical circuit redesigned to host top-tier competitions as well as training sessions for pros and amateurs alike.

  • Multi-purpose Areas: Dedicated spaces for e-mountain biking, flat track, and youth rider training, complemented by modern hospitality structures seamlessly integrated into the Romagna countryside.

Interni del Museo Ducati a Borgo Panigale, con delle moto esposte.

04 Park Monte Coralli

Guardians of memory: the Vespa, Guzzi, and Parilla collections

The history of the Riders’ Land isn’t held solely in official museums; it thrives through dedicated collectors who have turned private garages into world-class archives over time.

Moving to Ravenna, you’ll find the Mauro Pascoli Vespa Collection, an international reference point for anyone studying Piaggio scooter history. Pascoli has gathered dozens of rare models spanning from 1946 to the present day, alongside an extraordinary trove of original accessories, trophies, vintage posters, and a warehouse of historic spare parts sought after by restorers globally.

Slightly further south in Forlimpopoli, the Guzzi Brunelli Collection tells the story of Mandello del Lario’s Eagle emblem. Curated by Elio Brunelli, the exhibit showcases dozens of motorcycles built between 1921 and 1980, every single one meticulously restored to strict period-accurate specs and colorways.

Finally, in Cesena, the Parilla Collection shines a spotlight on the Milanese marque founded in 1946 by Giovanni Parilla. This gallery highlights the engineering elegance of high-camshaft (camma alta) engines, sporting powerplants that dominated road races throughout the 1950s and ’60s thanks to their balance of performance and cutting-edge design.

Historic collections from Romagna to the Riviera

Food stops: Romagna cuisine between land and sea

In Romagna, road trips collide with a food culture rooted in unpretentious ingredients, bold flavors, and welcoming, casual eateries.

Along the coast and inland roads, a mandatory stop is at the characteristic piadina romagnola kiosks. Around Rimini and Riccione, the flatbread is thin and pliable; heading north toward Forlì and Cesena, it becomes thicker and heartier. Classic fillings call for Squacquerone di Romagna PDO cheese, arugula, and prosciutto, or heartier options like grilled sausage with onions or traditional sautéed wild greens.

Heading up to hilltop villages like Bertinoro, Verucchio, and Santarcangelo di Romagna, inland osterie take center stage. Menus feature hand-rolled tagliatelle with ragù alongside cappelletti in broth or sauce, paired with a glass of Sangiovese di Romagna — a robust, energetic red wine reflecting the region’s spirit.

At sunset, along Leonardo da Vinci-designed canal harbors like Cesenatico or on the docks of Rimini, land dishes give way to Adriatic seafood. In historic seafood restaurants and waterside taverns, visitors enjoy daily catches prepared traditionally: classic breadcrumb-crusted mixed grills cooked over charcoal — the typical Romagna rustida — or classic fish soup (brodetto). It is an experience that captures the rich variety of the region’s Food Valley.

Major events and the motor map

The motorsport season in Romagna is concentrated mainly between spring and autumn.

The weekend of the San Marino and Rimini Riviera MotoGP Grand Prix transforms the coast into an open-air festival. Riviera municipalities host historic exhibitions, parades, and talk shows in local bars and public squares, involving thousands of fans outside the circuit as well.

Held biennially, the Misano World Circuit hosts World Ducati Week (WDW), the global gathering that brings the Borgo Panigale community together for a three-day event of track laps, coastal shows, and technical meetings with racing department riders and engineers.

Stay up to date below!

Cover di Around Motor Valley, dalla Romagna alla Riviera

Around Motor Valley | Ep.4 – The Riders’ Land: exploring Misano and the legendary places of motorcycling