VALE Mark Chiodo
The Australian motorcycling community is grief-stricken following the loss of road racing talent, Mark Chiodo. The son of Monza Imports founder John Chiodo died on Easter Sunday after falling from a balcony. He was just 27.

Chiodo’s promising motorsport career began in 2014 when he was 16, racing at club level alongside his father. The following year, Chiodo made his racing debut in the Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK), competing in the Australian Supersport class (SSP) on a Yamaha YZF-R6.

Of the three years Chiodo spent racing in Australian SSP, 2017 was his best, securing eight top three finishes (including four race wins) from 15 starts aboard a Triumph 675R and finishing fourth in the championship.

In 2018, Chiodo made the step up to ASBK, racing alongside Josh Waters at Team Suzuki ECSTAR. That same year, Chiodo etched his name onto the Harvie Wiltshire Perpetual Trophy, becoming the 43rd different rider to win the prestigious Australian award.
Across five seasons in ASBK, Chiodo recorded 17 top ten finishes from 52 race starts and seven top ten round results from 25 rounds.

Last year, Chiodo made the move back to the Supersport class with backing from Yarrive Konsky, through Honda Australia. He competed in four of seven rounds, with his last start being Round 5 at Phillip Island, where he finished 17th overall.

General Manager of Monza Imports, Scott Runciman told JUST BIKES that it was a privilege to have known the young Chiodo.
“To have known Mark from a baby to his late 20s was a gift,” explained Runciman, who did his first ever track day at Phillip Island alongside Chiodo 11 years ago.
“I remember Mark didn’t even know how to use a clutch - we were push-starting him in neutral, he’d bang first gear and be on his way! He learned, though. By the end of that day, he was so fast I couldn’t keep him in sight. He was a pure and rare natural talent.

“There was so much love for Mark in the Monza family,” Runciman added. “His genuine respect for everyone in the business, his smile and energy were infectious and sincere.
“He loved Monza and was so proud of the company that his father John had built. His easy nature, humility and humour will be sorely missed.”
Words and Photos: Russell Colvin