by InTrieste
In a bustling morning session on Thursday, April 4th, the municipal assessor for Cultural and Tourism Policies, Giorgio Rossi, presided over a captivating press conference at the Museum of Oriental Art. The event marked the unveiling of “The Ascent of Champions – Trieste Opicina,” slated for April 6th and 7th, in the esteemed presence of local dignitaries and representatives from key associations such as the “Motoclub Trieste 1906” and “Club of Twenty at the Hour – Trieste 1961,” along with Nadia Bellina, president of the Consortium Centro in Via – Together in Opicina.
In his address, Giorgio Rossi painted a picture of nostalgia and aspiration, stating, “Today, we narrate an event that transcends mere hobby; today, we speak of a dream and its ‘preview’ — to restore the historic ‘Trieste Opicina’ race. On April 6th and 7th, thanks to the collaborative efforts of ‘Motoclub Trieste 1906’ and ‘Club of Twenty at the Hour – Trieste 1961,’ we will offer a glimpse into the forthcoming automotive and motorcycle extravaganza of the ‘Trieste Opicina’ race, slated for 2025.”
Rossi concluded on a note of gratitude, expressing, “I am gratified to witness this renewed fervor for an initiative that once captured the hearts of our city. My heartfelt appreciation goes out to the organizers for their dedication and zeal.”
THE EVENT
The Trieste-Opicina hill climb, a hallmark of automobile and motorcycle racing, boasted a rich legacy from 1911 to 1971, punctuated by two hiatuses during the World Wars, spanning a total of 30 editions.
In 2017, the “Motoclub Trieste 1906” and the “Club of Twenty at the Hour – Trieste 1961” orchestrated a spectacular reenactment of the Trieste-Opicina race on a traffic-closed thoroughfare. Drawing an impressive audience of 25,000, the event set the stage for a contemporary revival. Today, these same associations, in conjunction with the Trieste Municipality, are poised to perpetuate this tradition with “The Ascent of Champions – Trieste Opicina 2024,” scheduled for April 6th and 7th.
“The Ascent of Champions – Trieste-Opicina 2024” promises to be an exclusive affair, serving as a prologue to the 2025 edition, set to once again grace closed roads. This year, on Sunday, April 7th, a procession of 35 motorcycles and 35 cars, representing the sporting ethos of 1911-1971, will parade through the city center, escorted by Carabinieri relay teams. Subsequently, they will ascend to the Opicina district, where they will be feted by the local community and embraced by the association “Tabor.”
The preceding evening, Saturday, April 6th, will witness a captivating conference hosted by Danilo Castellarin, president of the Museums Commission of ASI – Italian Historic Automotoclub, at the Salone degli Incanti auditorium. Castellarin, alongside esteemed guests from the realm of motorsport, will delve into the saga of “gentleman drivers” from the ’50s, ’60s, and ’70s. Notable figures such as Swiss motorcycle racer Sergio Pellandini and European rally champion Fulvio Bacchelli will grace the occasion. The ASI Green Commission will provide a forward-looking discourse on the future of historic motorsport, with a focus on sustainable fuels.
The event is poised to attract luminaries from the sports and historic motorsport realms, with enthusiasts converging from Austria, Germany, Slovenia, and Croatia. Undoubtedly, the resounding interest in this historic race underscores its enduring significance and the clamor for an annual international spectacle of this caliber.
