Founding Idea
In 1934, pharmacist Marco Re decided to breathe new life into the Motociclistica Castellazzese Association, choosing as its Patroness the Blessed Virgin of Creta and of the Graces. Marco Re had a powerful, visionary dream: he envisioned a world in which men of goodwill, regardless of their origin, would come together in harmony to celebrate brotherhood.
A motorcycle enthusiast, he conceived an innovative idea: to gather riders from every part of the world at the church venerating the Virgin of Creta and of the Graces — known for the many miracles attributed to travellers and victims of road accidents. The event was not merely a rally, but a symbol of unity and hope. His ambitious goal was that the Virgin would become the protector of all motorcyclists.
With resolve, Marco Re began a long campaign of awareness-raising, involving motorcycle associations throughout Italy. During the war years he did not abandon his dream, which gained new impetus with the birth of the Movimento Madonnina dei Centauri.
Between 1943 and 1946, supported by important pioneers of motorcycling such as Mario Bocca of Turin, the promotional activity intensified, gaining attention in specialist magazines and the support of major industry figures. In late 1943, the magazine La Moto published an article celebrating the value of the Virgin for the motorcycling world, imagining a future in which centaurs would meet each year at the Sanctuary of Castellazzo.
In January 1944, medals of motorcyclists specially minted were blessed in a solemn ceremony. These became the symbol of the Pioneers of the Virgin, officially establishing the link between the Virgin and the world of engines.
In 1944, the Italian Motorcycle Federation (FMI) recognised the Virgin of Castellazzo as the official Patroness of Italian motorcyclists. In 1946 the first Motorcycle Conference of the Madonnina dei Centauri gathered hundreds of riders. Reports mention “a thousand Italians and a hundred foreigners, mostly French and Swiss.” This marked the true beginning of the international movement that continues to unite passion, faith and the spirit of adventure.
Organisation of the Madonnina dei Centauri
In 1943, Marco Re launched a campaign to obtain recognition of the Virgin of Castellazzo Bormida as Patroness of motorcyclists. Through letters and press, he built a real promotional committee. Leading magazines — Le Vostre Novelle, Novella, La Domenica del Corriere, L’Italia, Motociclismo, La Moto, and others — helped spread devotion to the Virgin.
Writers like Mario Bocca, Domenico Fauda, and Anna Rosa Gallesio actively supported the campaign. In November 1943, the request for recognition was sent to the Bishop of Alessandria, Monsignor Nicolao Milone, who approved the project.
In December 1943, Marco Re mailed postcards of the “Madonnina dei Centauri” to 163 people — authorities and sympathisers — and distributed medals, blessed soon after. Membership grew quickly, and the idea of organising, after the war, a large rally began to take shape.
From 1944 to 1945, even amid wartime difficulties, Re maintained correspondence with riders and manufacturers like Moto Guzzi, Bianchi, Gilera, and Sertum. The campaign overcame bombings, fuel shortages, and the suspension of La Moto magazine. By 1945, the association already counted over a thousand members, including the first 21 official Pioneers across Italy.
In June 1945, Marco Re was appointed provisional commissioner of the Motociclistica Association of Castellazzo and began expanding into central and southern Italy. 
By August, the association had 30 members, confirming its post-war rebirth.
1946 – The First Madonnina dei Centauri Conference
In 1946, the campaign extended beyond Italy, reaching Switzerland and France. The first Madonnina dei Centauri Conference was officially confirmed for 8 September 1946, involving 110 Pioneers from Italy, Switzerland, and France.
One of the main obstacles was access to fuel, still rationed. Despite logistical and financial difficulties, the first Conference gathered a thousand Italian motorcyclists and a hundred foreigners. The event’s success marked the start of the international tradition of the Madonnina dei Centauri.
2nd Conference & The Papal Brief
In September 1946, the movement applied to include the 2nd International Conference in the FIM calendar, set for August 1947. Local authorities and national institutions granted support.
On 6 March 1947, Pope Pius XII officially proclaimed the Virgin of Castellazzo as Patroness of Motorcyclists by Apostolic Brief No. 17/47.
The news spread quickly across Europe, confirming the movement’s spiritual and cultural value.
Key Milestones
- 8 December 1948 – The organisation becomes the Moto Club Internazionale Madonnina dei Centauri (M.C.I./M.C.).
- 28 May 1949 – First Grand Rallye Fédéral de la Madone des Centaures held in Le Rœulx, Belgium.
- 4 June 1949 – The new flag of the M.C.I./M.C. blessed by Bishop Gagnor.
- 5–9 July 1949 – The Votive Lamp is brought to Rome and lit by Pope Pius XII.
- 22 June 1952 – First Swiss Rallye de la Madone des Centaures held in Fribourg.
- 26–27 June 1954 – First French Rallye held in Lyon.
- 14–15 July 1956 – The Flame of Brotherhood is lit for the first time.
- 20–21 July 1957 – The Flame of Brotherhood becomes a perpetual trophy in memory of Henri Jeanneret.
- 13–14 July 1985 – 40th Rally; the Municipality of Castellazzo dedicates a street to Marco Re.
- 8 July 1988 – Papal Blessing of the centaurs in St Peter’s Square during the Marian Year.
- 15–23 July 1989 – Historical exhibition: The Virgin of Castellazzo from the Great Plague of 1630 to the Rally of the Centaurs.
- 3 December 1994 – The M.C.I./M.C. receives the Centauro d’Argento International Award.
- 29–31 May 1998 – First Spanish rally in Lleida.
- 30–31 August 2003 – First German rally in Lörrach.
- 25 March 2007 – Inauguration of the new headquarters of the Moto Club Madonnina dei Centauri Internazionali in Alessandria.
This is the story of a dream that began in a small village and became an international movement — one that still unites riders from around the world under the sign of passion, faith, and the spirit of adventure.