Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Pope Benedict XVI Recieves Two Multistradas (Contribution)

Got a press release yesterday stating that the Pope just received a gift of two Ducati Multistrada motorcycles.

And I didn’t even know ol’ Bendict XVI could ride!

Can you picture the Pope ripping off a wicked wheelie across the courtyard of Vatican City?

Now that’d be cool.

In reality, the two Multistradas are a gift.

They will be part of the Corps of Gendarmerie of Vatican City and will be members of the Pope’s official security motorcade.

A ceremony was held at Castel Gandolfo where Ducati Motor Holding officially presented the Pope with the two latest additions to his motorcade.

Carlo Bonomi, Andrea Bonomi and Gabriele Del Torchio had the honor of handing the keys over to the Pontiff. The Ducati Multistradas are all decked-out in a special yellow and white Pontifical State livery.

“We are very honored for the unique opportunity of delivering our two special Ducati Multistradas to His Holiness today,” stated Gabriele Del Torchio, President at Ducati Motor Holding, after the ceremony.

“For us, and for everyone who works at Ducati, this event represents something to be very proud of and a gesture that reinforces our daily commitment in our work at the factory. It is a symbolic gift with which we would like to express our sincerest appreciation and respect for the Pope and embrace his message of hope and trust in the future, which he addressed to all industries in his encyclical Caritas in Veritate.”

Thanks to Ducati, it is the first time in history the Vatican's Gendarmerie Corp will use motorcycles for security tasks, a fact the Italian manufacturer takes pride in.

The Multistradas have been modified for the purposes they will serve, including the addition of a telescopic flashing light mast, siren and radio communication system.

The versatility of the utilitarian motorcycle, capable of street and enduro riding, will serve the Gendarmerie well.

But I’d still love to see the Pope popping a wheelie.

SIC: MC/USA