The fifth edition of GMG (Giornate Mondiali Guzzi) draws to an end in Mandello del Lario today. The event has been packed with celebrations, music, culture and bikes galore. The world’s biggest meeting of Moto Guzzi riders and enthusiasts was a tremendous success this year.

Mandello del Lario (Como, northern Italy) - Almost 17,000 Guzzisti invaded Mandello del Lario, the home of Moto Guzzi since 1921, for three days of fun and togetherness. Riders came to the 2007 GMG from all over Europe, from as far as Sicily and Norway. The most numerous group from outside Italy arrived in Mandello directly from Denmark. Scottish actor Ewan McGregor called in on the opening ceremony, and later left for London on his new Guzzi California. From then on Mandello saw the arrival of more and more bikes, creating a truly festive atmosphere.

The key event was the big Saturday night party on the shores of the lake. Groups from Italy and elsewhere, Moto Guzzi clubs and individual riders were awarded prizes in front of a crowd of thousands of Guzzisti in a great atmosphere of music and beer. The passion for Moto Guzzi once again spanned the sexes and the generations. An age gap of 60 years separated the oldest rider, born in 1931 and the youngest, born in 1991. Both received awards on the stage of the 2007 GMG.

The much awaited draw for the first ever Griso 8V to roll off the Mandello production line made one French lady rider, Denise Martin, extremely happy! Having ridden in from Cannes as passenger on her husband’s California, today the lucky Denise is riding back to France on her own brand new Griso 8V, the star of the 2007 GMG. The GMG is becoming one of the classic meetings in the world motorcycling calendar. Its 2007 edition was dedicated to the latest addition to the Guzzi range, the amazing Griso 8V, presented to the international press for the first time a few days previously in Milan, and powered by the new and much awaited 110 HP, 1200 cc “Quattrovalvole” engine with four valve heads.