.jpg)
Emilio Ostorero
Italian motocross racer and rally driver (1934–2023)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Emilio Ostorero (23 November 1934 – 21 July 2023) was an Italian professional motocross racer and rally driver.[1] He competed in the FIM Motocross World Championships between 1958 and 1960. Ostorero was nicknamed "Leone di Avigliana" ('Lion of Avigliana').[2]
Life and career
The son of a sailor, Ostorero was a motorbike enthusiast from an early age, and before starting his competitive career he worked as a mechanic at the Alpino motorbike company in Stradella.[3] He started his professional career in 1952 in the 175cc class, and in 1956 he won his first Italian Motocross Championship title in the 250cc class.[1][3] In 1957 he won the national titles both in the 250cc and in the 500cc classes.[1][3]
Ostorero won a total of 16 national titles between 1956 and 1970.[4] In the 1960 Motocross World Championship, he became the first Italian to win an international Grand Prix when he rode a Bianchi motorcycle to defeat Jeff Smith (BSA) and Torsten Hallman (Husqvarna) and won the 250cc Italian Grand Prix.[1][4]
After his retirement in 1976, he took part in several rally raid events, notably placing sixth at the 1984 Rallye des Pharaons with a Honda XL 600 R.[3][4] The same year, he received the title of Commendatore of the Italian Republic.[3][4] He also served as the Italian technical commissioner at the Motocross des Nations for 12 years.[4][5] He died on 21 July 2023, at the age of 88.[4]