Laverda Museum - Interview with Werner Ricciolini

Museo Moto Laverda, a special place devoted to the bikes from Breganze, opened earlier this year in the same northern Italian town where they were built for almost five decades. The museum’s owner and founder, Werner Ricciolini, explains how it all came about.

What is your background?

I was running the family business that produced diamond-coated cutting tools until 2017, when I sold it. I then worked as a consultant for a while and started looking after the Laverda Museum.

Growing up near Breganze, did you catch the Laverda “virus”?

I was never really a Laverda fan - I was interested in all kinds of motorbikes. Then I met the mechanic Riccardo Oro from Breganze, a reference for Laverdas.

When I heard about the sale of the collection of Cor Dees, I went to see him and bought 81 motorbikes from him.

The museum is in an old industrial building (in Breganze) and there are almost 100 motorbikes in the 500 square metre exhibition space.

What have people’s reactions been to the museum?

Great enthusiasm! Almost all the inhabitants of Breganze have a relationship with the company and many have contributed to the museum, which will be a reference point for Laverda enthusiasts from all over the world.

For the full story on the Laverda Museum, click HERE.

Words and Photos: Klaus Nennewitz