Emilio Ostorero (23 November 1934 – 21 July 2023) was an Italian professional motocross racer and rally driver. He was nicknamed "Leone di Avigliana" ('Lion of Avigliana').[1]

Emilio Ostorero
Ostorero at the Casale Monferrato GP (Italian Motocross Championship, 1970)
Born23 November 1934 (1934-11-23)
Died21 July 2023 (2023-07-22) (aged 88)
Turin, Italy
OccupationDriver

Life and career edit

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.[2] 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.[2] In 1957 he won the national titles both in the 250cc and in the 500cc classes.[2]

Ostorero won a total of 16 national titles between 1956 and 1970.[3] He was also the first Italian to win an international Grand Prix, conquering a GP in the 1960 Motocross World Championship.[3] After his retirement in 1976, he took part in several rallies, notably placing sixth at the 1984 Rallye des Pharaons with a Honda XL 600 R.[2][3] The same year, he received the title of Commendatore of the Italian Republic.[2][3] He also served as the Italian technical commissioner at the Motocross des Nations for 12 years.[3][4] He died on 21 July 2023, at the age of 88.[3]

References edit

  1. ^ Allasia, Federica (22 July 2023). "Addio alla leggenda del motocross Emilio Ostorero, il Leone di Avigliana". La Stampa (in Italian). Retrieved 28 July 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d e Cereghini, Nico (22 July 2023). "È mancato Emilio Ostorero". Moto.it (in Italian). Retrieved 28 July 2023.
  3. ^ a b c d e f Boni, Valerio (24 July 2023). "Addio a Emilio Ostorero, 16 volte campione di motocross". La Gazzetta dello Sport (in Italian). Retrieved 28 July 2023.
  4. ^ "Addio alla leggenda del motocross Emilio Ostorero". Sky Sport (in Italian). 23 July 2023. Retrieved 28 July 2023.