Piero Gagni died on the morning of Friday 13 November, following the consequences of a scooter crash. The accident happened in Pedrengo on 25 October, when he fell from the scooter and suffered a brain injury. He underwent two operations before his death.

A decorated Regolarità racer

Born in 1951 in Rocca del Colle, now Bagnatica, Gagni grew up in a family with seven siblings and developed an early interest in mechanics. He spent a period working at a car workshop in Celadina, but competition became the defining part of his early career. Gagni raced in Regolarità for ten years with the factory teams of Gilera, Zundapp, Fantic and SWM. His main classes were the 50 and 80 categories, and his record included two European titles, two Italian titles and six gold medals in the International Six Days. His European victories came with Fantic in 1979 and Zundapp in 1982.

From factory teams to Casey Stoner’s Ducati years

After ending his racing career, Gagni moved into the technical side of the sport. He worked with Yamaha, Cagiva, Ducati and Honda teams, building a long career in the World Championship paddock. At Ducati, he worked alongside Casey Stoner during the Australian rider’s two world-title campaigns, in 2007 and 2011. After 2012, Gagni continued his professional work as a Honda consultant.

Gagni’s career brought together two demanding sides of motorcycle racing: success as a rider in Regolarità and years supporting leading competitors and factory teams as a technician. His work connected the endurance and off-road racing world of his early years with the highest level of international motorcycle competition.