On December 8, 1948, the Madonnina dei Centauri committee evolved into the International Moto Club Madonnina dei Centauri (M.C.I./M.C.), updating its 1944 statute to meet new organizational needs.
“Our movement has now spread throughout the world, and it is necessary to give it a proper structure with a full Presidential Council and International Vice Presidents (one for each member country).”
— Dr. Marco Re, President M.C.I./M.C.
As time passed, the growth of the Madonnina dei Centauri movement made it necessary to transfer the headquarters of the Moto Club (MCI-MC) to Alessandria, while maintaining Castellazzo as its “spiritual capital.”
The development of the rally increasingly highlighted the need to efficiently coordinate the many foreign motorcyclists who took part, as well as to spread the same ideal of brotherhood beyond Italy’s borders. This effort led to the creation of various foreign sections of the Madonnina dei Centauri, which over time gained autonomy and began organizing their own local rallies.
The first international section was founded in Switzerland, in Fribourg, followed by France (Ambert), Belgium (Carnier – Le Roeulx), the Netherlands (Zwolle), Germany (Ulm – Donau), and Spain (Alcoy).
In Switzerland, Belgium, and France, particularly active sections developed, but all — including the correspondence branches — contributed to the international success of the movement.
With the club’s expansion beyond national borders came the need to organize national rallies of the Madonnina dei Centauri, giving riders unable to reach Castellazzo the opportunity to honor their Patroness in their own country.
A few notes on the origins of the first sections — which, it should be remembered, arose through contacts made in a Europe shattered and divided by war, when roads were dirt, gasoline was a dream, and the telephone a luxury.
It was a miracle.
Switzerland
In 1946, an ambitious idea began to take shape among a group of motorcycle enthusiasts.
Etienne Thalman, a key figure of the Fribourg Moto Club, was invited to Castellazzo Bormida by Marco Re and other enthusiasts, including Dr. Bocca of Turin and Engineer Bellorini of Lausanne.
The Bishop of Alessandria, Monsignor Gagnor, also took part in the meeting, with the aim of cooperating to obtain the consecration of the Virgin of the Clay as the Holy Patroness of motorcyclists.
Back in Switzerland, Thalman grasped the importance of the initiative and immediately began working to involve clubs affiliated with the Swiss Motorcycling Federation.
His message was clear: regardless of club membership, everyone should unite to create a Swiss section of the International Moto Club Madonnina dei Centauri.
The response was remarkable. From Fribourg to the Grisons, and as far as Inneberg, the proposal inspired countless riders.
When the first international rally was held in Castellazzo, Swiss participation was massive — proof that Thalman’s dream was becoming reality.
The section grew so quickly that soon an Executive Committee was needed to coordinate its activities.
In 1948, the group officially took the name Auto Moto Club Fribourg and began taking part in all rallies.
The experience accumulated over the years led to the organization of the first Swiss Rally in 1952, which became a cherished tradition.
Today, the spirit of brotherhood and passion born from that 1946 meeting continues to live on in the Swiss section of the Mc-MCI, proving how a single idea can grow into an international movement.
France
In 1947, a group of French riders participated for the first time in the International Rally of the Madonnina dei Centauri.
It marked the beginning of an adventure destined to leave a mark.
The event quickly gained popularity in France, creating a strong bond that drove more and more riders to cross the Alps to take part.
That enthusiasm grew year after year and has never faded.
The French section was founded thanks to Dr. Daligand, a passionate motorcyclist and tireless promoter of the initiative.
From the outset, activity was intense and marked by a lively rivalry with the Swiss section for the prestigious “Challenge Trophy” — a tradition that was later lost over time.
The first French Rally took place a few years later, in 1954, in Lyon.
Organized in collaboration with the renowned Club Lyonnais, the event was a huge success, cementing the presence of French motorcyclists within the International Moto Club Madonnina dei Centauri.
Belgium
In Belgium, the main challenge was finding a motorcycle club with the technical and financial means to support the initiative, especially considering that the local population — then as now — was not particularly religious.
After much encouragement, Eugène Simays, president and supporter of the Auto Moto Club du Centre in La Louvière, accepted the proposal.
After several meetings, it was decided to create a touring section of the club, which, after a trial period, would seek affiliation with the Belgian Federation once autonomy was achieved.
In June 1948, Dr. Marco Re appointed Bougard to represent the “parent organization” and organize the first Belgian International Rally, held in May 1949 in Le Roeulx.
The event was a major success and marked the official launch of the Moto Club in Belgium.
The new section was founded on principles of solidarity and brotherhood among motorcyclists, strengthening the bond between riders of different nations.
Key Dates in the Evolution of a Dream — from Local to Global
- May 28, 1949 – 1st Grand Rallye Fédéral de la Madone des Centaures, Le Roeulx (Hainaut, Belgium), organized by the Le Roeulx section of the Auto Moto Club du Centre. In 1981, the rally moved to Ressaix (Hainaut) and today takes place in Horrues, Soignies.
- June 4, 1949 – In the Sanctuary of the Centaurs, crowded with motorcyclists and citizens of Castellazzo, Monsignor Gagnor blessed the newly created flag of the M.C.I./M.C.
- July 5–9, 1949 – The Votive Lamp, a gift from the motorcyclists to their Patroness, was taken to Rome on a Guzzi truck driven by racer Raffaele Alberti, escorted by 20 Moto Guzzi employees on Super Alce motorcycles and followed by a large group of riders. On July 7, in the presence of the Bishop of Alessandria and representatives of the M.C.I./M.C., Pope Pius XII lit it for the first time. After a triumphant return journey, the lamp arrived in Castellazzo and was placed in the Sanctuary with a solemn Pontifical Mass.
- June 22, 1952 – 1st Rallye Suisse de la Madone des Centaures, Fribourg, at St. Nicolas Cathedral, organized by the Fribourg Moto Club. Since 1991, it has been held in Le Mouret (Fribourg).
- June 26–27, 1954 – 1st Rallye Français de la Madone des Centaures, Lyon, organized by the Motocycle Club de Lyon et du Rhône. Since 1980, the French rally has been held in Vichy.
The three national rallies alternated every three years in this sequence: 1954 France, 1955 Switzerland, 1956 Belgium, and so on.
Over time, other sections were added — some representative, others more structured and active — including the Monaco, Dutch, and German sections, born from the dedication of a few visionary Pioneers of the Madonnina, whose legacy continues today in a world profoundly changed yet still deeply in need of pioneers of brotherhood among nations.
Not out of self-celebration, but to honor the heritage received and our responsibility toward those who will follow, we close this page by recalling one of the most prestigious awards ever received for our long-standing commitment:
On December 3, 1994, we were honored with the International “Silver Centaur” Award, granted to the Moto Club Madonnina dei Centauri Internazionali of Alessandria (McMCI), the parent organization and heir to the movement founded in 1942, with the following citation:
“For its activity in the field of motorcycle tourism through the organization of the International Motorcycle Rally Madonnina dei Centauri.
Today, on the fiftieth anniversary of its founding, the Alessandria Rally, for its vast participation, the spectacle of its promotional and tourism initiatives, is recognized by all as the classic annual Italian and European two-wheel event and as an inimitable model of organization and efficiency.”