Emilio Ostorero
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Ostorero at the Casale Monferrato GP (Italian Motocross Championship, 1970)
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| Born | 23 November 1934 (1934-11-23) |
| Died | 21 July 2023 (2023-07-22) (aged 88)
Turin, Italy
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| Occupation | Driver |
Emilio Ostorero (23 November 1934 – 21 July 2023) was an Italian professional motocross racer and rally driver. He was nicknamed "Leone di Avigliana" ('Lion of Avigliana').[1]
The son of a sailor, Ostorero was a motorbike enthusiast from an early age, and before starting his competitive career he worked as a mechanic at the Alpino motorbike company in Stradella.[2] He started his professional career in 1952 in the 175cc class, and in 1956 he won his first Italian Motocross Championship title in the 250cc class.[2] In 1957 he won the national titles both in the 250cc and in the 500cc classes.[2]
Ostorero won a total of 16 national titles between 1956 and 1970.[3] He was also the first Italian to win an international Grand Prix, conquering a GP in the 1960 Motocross World Championship.[3] After his retirement in 1976, he took part in several rallies, notably placing sixth at the 1984 Rallye des Pharaons with a Honda XL 600 R.[2][3] The same year, he received the title of Commendatore of the Italian Republic.[2][3] He also served as the Italian technical commissioner at the Motocross des Nations for 12 years.[3][4] He died on 21 July 2023, at the age of 88.[3]
