MV Agusta confirms 'Rivale'

MV AGUSTA boss Giovanni Castiglioni has confirmed the name of the firm's new three-cylinder machine – a road-oriented bike with some adventure leanings along the lines – will be called Rivale. Just as we predicted back in January.

Speaking to www.moto.it, Castiglioni said that the bike would be 'a new concept' with elements of supermoto and enduro, powered by an 800cc version of the firm's triple. Now, which other firm has got a 675cc three-cylinder sports bike and a 675c naked triple, plus an 800cc version of the same motor in an adventure-style bike?

Regardless of just how “new” the idea turns out to be, it sounds like the bike is now confirmed to appear at the EICMA show in Milan this autumn, although it will initially be shown as a concept bike rather than a production model. We're guessing it won't be a million miles from the Tricruiser concept made by IED Turin last year.