Morbidelli Documentary Film

We cheer for the underdog. We like racing stories where privateers bump bars and battle with the factory teams. In the documentary film about Italian motorcycle builder/designer, Giancarlo Morbidelli, a David vs Goliath story is told. Read on for more insight into this “story of men and fast motorcycles.”

We’ve just received word that the English version of the film has been released. It’s directed by Jeffrey Zani and Matthew Gonzales, but the story is told by Morbidelli himself, his riders and his mechanics. You can watch the Italian trailer below and click on the English subtitles, but either way, you’ll hear the passion and excitement of the characters in this documentary.

Morbidelli is considered among the top motorcycle builders and innovators in racing history. But this story goes back when he was a businessman who decided to jump into the motorcycle World Championship in 1969 after some success in the Italian Motorcycle Championship. A gutsy decision that paid off well.

The film features interviews with the following people:
• Giancarlo Morbidelli: businessman, owner of the Morbidelli Racing Team, motorcycle designer and builder
• Mario Lega: rider, 250cc world champion in 1977 riding a Morbidelli
• Graziano Rossi: rider, raced with the Morbidelli 250cc and 500cc bikes
• Pier Paolo Bianchi: rider, 125cc world champion in 1976 and 1977 riding a Morbidelli
• Alberto Ieva: rider, 50cc Italian champion in 1971 riding a Morbidelli
• Jorg Moeller: engineer, designed the Morbidelli bikes that won the four world titles
• Franco Dionigi: mechanic, worked for Morbidelli during the years of its victories
• Giancarlo Cecchini: mechanic, worked for Morbidelli and Benelli
• Fermino Fraternali: photographer, worked as a reporter following the World Championship during Morbidelli’s career
• Luciano Battisti: classic motorcycles collector, a close friend of Morbidelli
• Eugenio Lazzarini: rider, raced with the Morbidelli 50cc and 125cc. He won three world championships

In 1972, Gilberto Parlotti crashed his 125cc Morbidelli during a wet Isle of Man and died. Parlotti’s wreck prompted his good friend, Giacomo Agostini, to declare that he’d never race there again. While Morbidelli was disheartened, his team and cast of supporters encouraged him to continue his efforts for a world title which he achieved – and then some.

“No matter how big and powerful the motorcycle companies competing in the World Championship were, there still was the chance that a small team could build a bike and beat them.”

The documentary looks promising and, as stated by the people behind the film, “doesn’t focus only on the results, but also on the feelings, efforts and struggles of the team.” To learn more, visit their website: MORBIDELLI – a story of men and fast motorcycles.