Harley-Davidson® gives the ultimate gift of freedom to lucky family
FOR MORE DETAILS ON EUROPEAN BIKE WEEK 2017, PLEASE SEE THE EVENT PAGE
Faaker See, September 9, 2017: Ana “Mamana” Ivancic from Slovenia – the unsuspecting winner – was presented with a new, unique special edition Sportster® Forty Eight® motorcycle on Friday night as part of the on-stage celebrations to commemorate 20 years of European Bike Week. In a presentation that included customer stories and memories spanning the two decades of European Bike Week history, Ana was called up on stage to be presented with her new bike.
A shocked Ana – who was at the event with her husband, Jan, and two of their five children – said: “I am surprised and honoured to be presented with the new bike, which was completely unexpected. I was at the first event in 1998 and loved it so much I have been back every year since on my Harley-Davidson Fat Boy. I hope to be present at the next twenty European Bike Weeks too – maybe even with some of my children, if they catch the Harley-Davidson bug too. Who knows, they might ride to Faaker See on this unique Forty Eight!”
Customers’ stories have been appearing online in the run-up to the event and a selection will be published in HOG magazine, the official publication of the Harley Owners Group.
Trevor Barton, Harley-Davidson International Consumer Experience Manager, said: “For the 20th Anniversary celebrations of European Bike Week we wanted to do something special for the incredible community of Harley owners and riders who have built up European Bike Week to become the massive event that it is today. What better way to celebrate that bond than by presenting one loyal customer and her family with a brand new bike as a gift? It was kept a surprise until the last minute – and both Ana’s and the crowd’s response was amazing.”
The 20th Anniversary celebrations of European Bike Week were held on the shores of Lake Faak in southern Austria, the site of the very first event in 1998, when it was born as the European 95th anniversary of Harley-Davidson Motor Company. That first event, attended by Willie G. Davidson, saw thousands of Harley riders and fans gather in the southern Austrian countryside. The event proved so popular that it subsequently became an annual event, held with the close cooperation of the people and businesses of Carinthia.
Since then the event has grown to become the end-of-season pilgrimage and celebratory party for Harley-Davidson riders and other bikers and party lovers in Europe, attracting more than 100,000 attendees annually. This year’s music headliners included Black Stone Cherry and Danko Jones, and new events included modified Street Rod 750s flat track racing around a purpose-built dirt oval.
Next year’s European Bike Week will be held 4-9 September, 2018 at Faaker See, Austria.
