HARLEY DAVIDSON IGNITES THE 2026 RIDING SEASON WITH EUROPEAN SPRING RALLY IN SENIGALLIA
Riders from across Europe gather on Italy’s Adriatic coast for four days of motorcycles, music and community
Senigallia, Italy (May 19, 2026) – Harley‑Davidson® ignited the 2026 riding season with the inaugural European Spring Rally, welcoming around 30,000 visitors and 15,000 motorcycles to Senigallia from April 30 to May 3, as riders, music fans and local residents came together on Italy’s Adriatic coast for four days of motorcycles, live music and shared experience.
Designed as a free, open‑to‑all celebration, the new European Spring Rally builds on the momentum of the 2024 European H.O.G.® Rally and delivered a vibrant season opener attended by visitors from across Europe and beyond. Held in partnership with the Comune di Senigallia (Senigallia Municipality), the rally was embraced by the town, with Senigallia’s historic riverside centre, lively piazzas and renowned hospitality creating a striking backdrop throughout the weekend.
“This rally was about bringing the Harley‑Davidson community together to kick off the riding season with energy, emotion and shared passion,” said Francesco Vanni, Head of Sales and Managing Director, EMEA, Harley‑Davidson Motor Company. “From the motorcycles and the music to the parade through the heart of Senigallia, the European Spring Rally captured everything our brand stands for, freedom, connection and unforgettable experiences.”
Motorcycles took centre stage with the Harley‑Davidson Expo, showcasing highlights from the 2026 motorcycle line‑up. Headlining the display were the Street Glide® Limited and Road Glide® Limited, marking a significant evolution of the Grand American Touring platform, alongside the Pan America® 1250 Limited, equipped with factory‑installed accessories and engineered for riders seeking adventure on and off the road.
The European Spring Rally also marked the launch of a new Harley‑Davidson® and Jeep® European partnership for 2026, uniting two iconic brands driven by a shared passion for freedom, adventure and exploration. Building on a collaboration that began in 2014, the partnership will continue across major Harley‑Davidson events throughout the 2026 riding season.
Live music was a defining element of the weekend, with a free, multi‑night programme spanning rock, punk and blues. Performances included London‑based trio The Molotovs, Italian guitar virtuoso Giuseppe Scarpato and his Hillside Power Trio, Sweden’s Black River Delta, Italian artist Fede Marka, Mike Terrana & The Ympossible, Angelica Bove, The Peawees, and a headline set from iconic Italian rocker Alteria. Rally‑goers were also surprised by an impromptu performance from Italian music star Sal Da Vinci, delivering one of the weekend’s most memorable moments.
Winners of the Harley‑Davidson® Music Contest added further energy to the programme, with Mad Guz and the Mojos (Germany), The Surroyal (Spain) and Known Physics (Italy) taking to the stage, while DJ Ringo and Toky from Virgin Radio provided a festival‑wide soundtrack throughout the weekend.
One of the standout highlights was the Custom Motorcycle Show, held on Friday in Piazza Garibaldi, where the awards were presented by Karen Davidson, Harley‑Davidson global brand ambassador. The show saw an almost clean sweep by Italian entrants, reflecting both the host location and the strength of Italy’s custom motorcycle culture.
The overall standout was Damiano Roncaglioni, who secured an exceptional triple victory, winning Best in Show, Metzeler People’s Choice, and the Radical Custom category with an innovative motorcycle built around a 1920s Model B engine, blending century‑old engineering with modern craftsmanship.
On Saturday, around 3,000 motorcycles took to the streets for the Harley‑Davidson Parade, creating one of the event’s most powerful and visually striking moments as riders rolled through the heart of Senigallia.
With free entry for riders and visitors alike, the first European Spring Rally opened a new chapter in Harley‑Davidson’s European events calendar and set the tone for an energised 2026 riding season, continuing next with the European H.O.G.® Rally in Cascais, Portugal, in June 2026. Accommodation is available at https://32europeanhogrally2026.widetravel.pt/home/wide.php
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Company Background
Since 1903, Harley-Davidson has defined motorcycle culture by delivering a motorcycle lifestyle with distinctive and customizable motorcycles, parts & accessories, experiences, riding gear and apparel. What We Make: The World’s Best Motorcycles. Period. Who We Serve: Motorcycle Riders Worldwide. Why We Do It: To Protect and Grow Motorcycle Culture. What We Stand For: Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. Harley-Davidson, Inc. is the parent company of Harley-Davidson Motor Company and has a controlling interest in Harley-Davidson Financial Services and LiveWire Group, Inc. Harley-Davidson Financial Services provides financing, insurance and other programs to help get riders on the road. LiveWire is committed to developing the technology of the future and investing in the capabilities needed to lead the transformation of motorsports. Learn more at harley-davidson.com.
