“What was your first impression on seeing the bike?”

“Beautiful. And it felt so much like mine that I wanted to take it home.
I was pleased and excited when I saw it on set, I just wish I could have had longer to enjoy it. Formula 73 is a unique bike with a strong personality and a spirit that fully embodies the 1970s. “Simple but effective”, as they say.”

“Yes, that’s exactly what we wanted with Formula 73 – simplicity - creating a contemporary reinterpretation of the model that inspires it, the Ducati 750 Super Sport.”

“It really seems born of that era. The Seventies were a period of great change and revolution, across music, art, design and Formula 73 really evokes that spirit. The lines and details making up the design never interrupt the dynamic or the volumes of the bike but trace them in a natural way. Real attention has been paid to the curvature and tautness of the surfaces: seemingly simple forms that are in fact complex in construction, characterised by curves and accelerations designed to fine-tune the transition of reflections. And the result is a refined play on light and shadow, for a bike that is elegant and sophisticated in its every detail.”

“Stefano, having enjoyed a sneak preview, what can you tell us about the riding experience?”

“Riding a motorcycle is always exciting for me, but I have to say the Formula 73 has won me over. With its Café Racer style, it’s like stepping into the past. I personally find the semi-handlebar very practical, particularly when turning, because it lets me manage the pressure more naturally and precisely. And that’s reassuring, making me feel as one with the bike. Being on the bike and not ‘inside’ it gives me more confidence, and the semi-handlebar contributes to giving me that feeling.”

“When we contacted you about this project, we just knew you’d say yes…”

“Well yes, and here we are. As soon as I heard about the project, I immediately knew I wanted to take part. My passion for riding was a key aspect of course, but what really resonated was the idea of constructing a narrative. Before and during the shoot, there was a continuous dialogue with directors, writers, screenwriters: we talked about the story, the creativity, how to give shape to an idea. It was a very stimulating process. And the idea to tell a story, a film within the film, starting with a bike immediately seemed consistent with who I am. This parallel between acting and riding motorcycles has deep meaning for me, in that it unites two of my greatest passions. And it all came about spontaneously, authentically, not least because I’m a real fan and a dedicated Ducatista.”

“The connection between cinema and motorcycling is clear to see in “A Piece of Timeless”. Can you tell us more about that?”

It might seem strange, but cinema and motorcycling have a lot more in common than you might think. On set, as on the bike, there’s a kind of threshold. In film, before shooting a scene, there’s always chaos and a myriad of micro-problems. And then the background noise suddenly stops, as if the world were shut outside. The same thing happens when riding. You find yourself in your own little bubble. You turn the key, the engine starts and all your thoughts and worries vanish. Only the present remains, the here and now. It’s as if your head, heart and body become one. Few things feel as freeing as riding or acting. In those moments, you’re outside of it all, in another world, and somehow the mind lets go. 

“And if you had to choose between acting and riding a bike?”

“Impossible, I wouldn’t be able to give up either one. They are two parts of me, and when I can experience both on set, that’s the ultimate. It’s wonderful when they ask you to ride a bike in a film, it’s the best of both acting and riding. The problem is that they never let you ride enough. Both things allow you to project yourself into a possible, almost superhuman world. But there’s a subtle difference: with acting you wear a mask; you interpret a role that doesn’t always belong to you. On the bike, this mask drops. You’re just you, in symbiosis with the bike. When I ride, a little like when I go on set, I experience a sort of suspension of time and space. If I had to describe this sensation of pure suspension, I’d say it’s like finding yourself in a fragment of eternity.”