Bonhams heads to Italy

Bonhams will stage an auction in Italy for the very first time, after the renowned auction house recently struck a deal with Genesio Bevilacqua, founder of Althea Racing Team and owner of the Moto dei Miti motorcycle museum on the outskirts of Rome.

The auction will be hosted by the museum over April 1 to 3, 2022, with Mr Bevilacqua offering up 27 bikes from his own extensive collection, adding to a total of over 100 bikes from various collectors.

There’s certain to be plenty of interest in the Ducati 1198 RS on which Carlso Checa won the 2011 World Superbike Championship, along with the Ducati 1198 F12 on which Davide Giugliano triumphed in the World Supersport Championship in that same year.

Also on offer is a BMW S 1000 RR ridden to victory by Raffaele de Rosa in the 2016 World Superstock Championship, which Althea Racing Team contested in partnership with BMW. All three world titles were won by the Althea Racing Team, which Mr Bevilacqua established in 2007.

All the bikes on offer have been meticulously maintained and are ready to race, and have been recently ridden by Mr Bevilacqua and other professional riders.

The Moto dei Miti museum will serve as a fitting backdrop for Bonham’s first foray into Italy. The private collection tells the story of the evolution of motorcycle racing over the past 50 years, with representation from some of the most important sports and competition bikes of the modern era.

“We are really excited to be hosting our debut sale in Italy – arguably the home of motorcycles – and to have the ‘man who defeated giants’ as our new partner,” said Ben Walker, Global Head of Bonhams Motorcycles.

“Genesio’s spectacular private museum will provide a stunning backdrop for the sale, and we are delighted that it will be open to the public for the preview and the auction itself.”

Mr Bevilacqua, General Manager, Althea Racing Team, said he was thrilled to have his museum hosting the event.

“I am happy and proud to partner with Bonhams to bring to Italy their first auction dedicated to motorcycles and to the history of motorcycles, in which Italy has always played a vital role,” he said.

“Moto dei Miti is, without a doubt, the best location to hold this great event. Bonhams’ heritage and reputation will attract the attention of international collectors and will play an important part in growing the collectors’ market for the motorcycles of the last 50 years.”

Related reading:
Records broken at Bonhams motorcycle auction
Papal Harley tipped to fetch $180,000
Shannons: rare exotica up for grabs