FIM Europe Mag 2/2014

Nr 2/2014 - November/December

F­ IM­EUROPE­ACTIVITY FOR­A­GLOBAL­COOPERATION­ EUROPEAN­TRIAL­CHAMPIONSHIP­ WHERE­THE­CHAMPIONS­GROW­UP EUROPEAN­MOTOCROSS­ ACCORDING­GIUSEPPE­LUONGO

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FIM Europe congratulates to the new CEO of FIM 8th Road Safety Conference

The first meeting for a long lasting cooperation

On the occasion of the recent meeting of the FIM Board of Directors in Geneva an important decision has been made: Mr. Ignacio Verneda, currently Executive Director Sports, has been appointed as the new CEO of FIM. “Congratulations on behalf of FIM Europe”, stated President Dr Wolfgang Srb. “This is an excellent choice. Ignacio Verneda has a long term experience in the sport and, most important, he comes from the FIM family and fully understands what FIM, CONUs and National Motorcycle Federations are all about. I wish him all the very best!”

On October 16th, at the FIM offices in Mies was held the first meeting between the new FIM CEO Ignacio Verneda and FIME Secretary General Alessandro Sambuco.

After the appointment of Verneda, on October 8th, this first meeting was fixed immediately with the intent to make the cooperation between FIM and FIME at the operational level closer, frequent and long lasting.

On the table, a variety of topics including - having to launch a great deal of initiatives planned for 2015 - the important question of the FIM contributions. It should be emphasized, in fact, that all the activities organized by the FIM Europe in the near future (Training Camp, Meetings, Workshops, Conferences and Seminars) will be open to Directors, Officials and Staff of the FIM as of the other CONUs. The 2

concept of "FIM Family" finally takes concrete form.

At the end of the meeting, Mr. Sambuco was very satisfied: "I've known Mr. Verneda for a long time and lately I have often had the opportunity to work with him. We shared different experiences in many years of activity, both belong to the same world and we love motorcycling, to

which we wish both to offer the best of our professionalism. Together we will do a great job in favour of the FMNs".

In the photo above, Dr Wolfgag Srb congratulates to Mr. Ignacio Verneda.

Below, the new CEO of FIM is with FIM Europe Secretary General, Mr. Alessandro Sambuco, during their first meeting in Mies

FIM Europe Mag 2/2014

FIM Europe FIM Europe for Mobility and Safety for Mobility and Safety

In the section reserved to Public Affairs of FIM Europe website http://www.fim-europe.com, two important documents have been published: a mobility test made by FEMA accompanied by interesting videos of the test, and the studies "Crash Barriers are fatal for motorcyclists" accomplished by the Swedish Motorcyclists Association, SMC. «FIM Europe is very careful to mobility and road safety aspects, considering that in Europe there are 37 millions of powered two wheels vehicles», comments Mr. Silvio Manicardi, FIM Europe second Deputy President. «For this reason every year during the FIM Europe Congress we organise also a Road Safety Conference, and the results and documents of the yearly meeting since 2007 can be consulted in our website. Every time we find interesting studies and documents, we care about bringing them to the attention of the two-wheeled world».

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Mobility­Test The ‘Mobility Test’ proves that powered two-wheelers can contribute to improve mobility and reduce congestions all over Europe. Last summer, in fact, the test was made in European cities with different modes of transport, with the contribution of Italian Motorcycling Federation (FMI) for Italy: commuting to work takes more and more time due to congestions.

More than 60% of the population in the European Union lives in urban areas. The European cities are expected to grow with an increased demand for personal transport for commuting.

Many urban areas of Europe are chronically congested, which means an annual cost of € 100 billion per year. The result is crystal clear all over Europe: motorcycles and mopeds made the journeys faster in every city.

The biggest differences between the motorcycle and the car was 38 minutes to travel 29 kilometres in Oslo, (27/ 65 minutes) and 48 minutes to travel 19 kilometres in Dublin (27/75).

The cost for the journeys, parking and tolls was also compared. The test is readable here: Mobility Test.

It is also interesting to recall a

study accomplished by the University of Leuven, in Belgium, ‘More Powered TwoWheelers would ease congestion’, which underlines the big advantages deriving from using motorcycles in relation to the reduction of traffic jams: 10% more motorcycles used for commuting equal to 40% less traffic jams, concludes a study conducted by Transport & Mobility Leuven.

Crash­Barriers As for the ‘Crash barriers’ studies, SMC is convinced that the numbers of fatal rates in Sweden for motorcyclists could have been reduced with a more motorcycle friendly road environment: 6 out of 22 motorcyclists who have been killed on a motorcycle in 2014 have collided with a crash barrier.

The share is also high in an international comparison. "Dangerous barriers do not only cost lives, they also mean huge costs for the society", concludes SMC.

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Two important meetings of the FIM Europe Sporting Commissions were held in Rome, in the Tiber Hotel of Fiumicino: Motocross and Snowcross, Enduro and Rally, Supermoto, Trial and Drag Bike in the first session, on October 25th and Road Racing,

Track Racing, Vintage and Motoball Commissions in the second session, on November 15th.

The meetings developed in a friendly context, of cooperation and harmonization between FIM Europe and FIM. In fact, the re4

spective chairman of FIM Commissions took part to the event, which has been the first of its kind in the history of FIM. During the meetings, the 2014 season was analysed and the preview of the 2015 was given, with the aim of harmonizing technical and sporting rules.

Motocross and Snowcross «There will not be significant changes for next year», Chairman of Motocross and Snow-

cross Commission Eddie Herd said. «We work in cooperation with Youthstream, which is also the World Championship promoter, and everybody is satisfied.

Supercross will add two or three rounds».

Enduro & Rally «We defined the 2015 calendars, in agreement with FIM», Marco Bolzonello, Chairman of Enduro & Rally Commission said. «For European championship, we shall have a new race

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Above, the group of the partecipants to the first session of Sporting Commissions, in front of Hotel Tiber, in Fiumicino, near Rome. Below, a moment of the meeting of the Motocross Commission, with Eddie Herd Chairman

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Above, a moment of the meeting of the Supermoto Commission, with Ivo Tsvetanov Chairman. Below, the Trial Commission, with Anders Minken Chairman

with Croatia, which enters for the first time in the Continental calendar.

«As for Enduro Extreme the 5 races have been confirmed, while Snowmobile enduro will have one race, in Finland, next February».

Supermoto «Things are going well in the Supermoto Commission», the Chairman Ivo Tsvetanov said.

«Changing of the rules will be discussed in the meeting of 7 th November in Geneva, our aim is to attract more ri-

ders, unluckily the calendar has not been presented by the promoter yet».

Drag Racing «In 2014 we gained in number of competitors and our aim is to increase again, also

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Above, the meeting of the Enduro & Rally Commission, with Marco Bolzonello Chairman. Below, the Drag Racing Commission, with Palle Lind Chairman

thanks to streaming tv production», said Palle Lind, Chairman of Drag Racing Commission.

«Today we analysed the 2014 season and the possibilities of development also through changes to regulations in

cooperation with the promoter».

Trial «It has been a very positive meeting, with a great cooperation from FIM Trial Commis-

sion», Anders Minken, Chairman of Trial Commission commented. «We have been discussing about many aspects of our sport, with many new proposals. Among the future projects, there is European X-Trial Cup, which will be an afforda-

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Above, the partecipants to the second meeting of the FIM Europe Sporting Commissions.

Below, the Track Racing Commission, with Piotr Szymanski Chairman

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ble one-event race for the best European riders. We also would like to introduce a Junior Trial of Nations, because we think riding in a team is a very motivating for young riders».

The comments of FIM Europe «It has been a successful day, a very good opportunity to meet so many commissions together», said Mr. Martin De Graaff, FIM Europe 1st Deputy President «We could directly reply on questions from Commissions and bring new ideas in the next Management Council meeting in December».

«I'm very happy with the result of this weekend», FIM Europe FIM Europe Mag 2/2014

President Dr Wolfgang Srb commented. «We opened a new chapter in our relations with the headline 'cooperation'».

Second session of Sporting Commissions Meeting The second session of meetings of the FIM Europe Sporting Commissions was held at the Hotel Tiber in Fiumicino, near Rome, too.

«With the meetings of the Road Racing, Track Racing, Vintage and Motoball Commissions we close this first year of experience with this new format for the meetings», FIM Europe President, Dr Wolfgang Srb said. «Meetings have been held

no longer separately but autonomously in common sessions.

The rationale for this change is the aim to foster horizontal communication among the various Commissions within the FIM Europe to develop in the members the sense of belonging to the group and improving the organizational climate», Dr Srb concluded.

Road Racing

On this occasion the FIM Directors Oriol Puig Bulto – Technical Commission and Rezso Bulcsu – Road Racing Commission, participated in the meetings with the spirit of cooperation currently under9

The meeting of the Motoball Commission, with Karl Vögele Motoball Chairman

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motorcycles, but there are only national events».

way between the FIM and the FIM Europe.

Vintage «We are working to create new rules for vintage enduro and trial and to improve and simplify the rules for the existing disciplines», said José Artur Campos Costa, Chairman of Vintage Commission. «Rules for modern motorcycles are easier but in vintage there are many different kinds of motorcycles from all over Countries. we

eant to promote vintage for European Championships, it is a bigger world than modern

Motoball «The fundamental focus is building a new European championship after the 2014 edition was cancelled», said Mr Karl Vögele, Motoball Commission Chairman.

«We are also working to find referees, while we have already found the organizers for 2015, in Germany, 2016, in The Netherlands and 2017 in France».

The meeting of the Road Racing Commission, with Ejgil Solkaer Chairman. Below, the Vintage Commission, with José Artur Campos Chairman

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Martin De Graaff, President of FIM Europe Sporting Council, makes the point of the FIM Europe Sporting Commissions Meeting in Rome

«FIM Europe hosted this weekend the second group of Sporting Commissions. Three weeks ago five Sporting Commissions met in the Tiber Hotel in Fiumicino, near Rome», Mr Martin De Graaf says.

«The meetings of this weekend were: Vintage, Road Racing, Motoball and Track Racing Commissions.

On Sunday morning the Promoter of Hill Climb also talked with Road Racing and Vintage Commissions about the possibilities of combinations with Vintage. The organisers were also invited for this meeting.

«The reaction of the Commissions three weeks ago was very positive about this kind of meetings, important was the contact with other commissions, the members of Management Council and the Staff.

Like the cooperation with motocross promoter Youthstream the contacts with Dorna, the promoter of the World Road Racing Championship are renewed. As from 2015 two classes of the CEV Repsol Championship will be under the flag of FIM Europe: Moto2 and Superbike will be races for the European Championship. The races will take place in the South part of Europe: Spain, France and Portugal.

«The new class for young riders, the Stock 250 European Championship,

will be organised within the Alpe Adria competition. This weekend this class has been presented by Luigi Favarato, president of Alpe Adria European Union. The two competitions are the start of possible more races for the European Championship in the different European regions.

«The development in other motor sport disciplines like Enduro, Trial and Supermoto is very important.

Enduro has a very good European Championship, but it would be interesting to have two or three Countries more, the same is the case for the Trial European Championship.

Supermoto is a very nice discipline, the calendar has been presented last week. The races are in combination with races in the World Championship. Supermoto deserves more attention from all federations with many license holders in this discipline.

«Also Drag Racing is an attractive discipline for riders and spectators. It's a sport on a high technical level.

Only specialised technicians are able to prepare the bikes for this very fast sport.

«The Vintage Commission, with specialists in the bikes from the past, had also its meeting. They talked about road racing, endurance and

regularity and also about trial events. In future the development of Enduro and Motocross is important for the Vintage Commission. The most difficult task for this commission is to set up the regulations with a diversity in several countries.

«Motoball is popular in seven or eight Countries. It is very attractive for spectators: five motorcycles with a ball in the field, stopped by a keeper, is a charming game. Next years the final for the European Championship will be organised in Germany,The Netherlands and in France. The French federation is successful testing with electric bikes.

«The Track Race Commission presented a full calendar for Grass Track and Speedway. In many European Countries Speedway is popular, like in Poland and Scandinavia. In several other federations are grass track and long track important.

«At the end of this weekend we can be satisfied with the work carried out by all Commissions to plan events all over Europe.

During the season the officials and Jury Presidents will guide and supervise all events for the European Championships. Everyone received a set of new clothing to be recognizable».

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Meeting Meeting FIM FIM Europe Europe with with ADAC ADAC

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A meeting was held on November 17th at ADAC Headquarters in Munich between top representatives from ADAC (Allgemeiner Deutscher Automobil-Club e.V.) and FIM Europe in order to discuss various areas of cooperation. ADAC is the largest automobile club in Europe with more than 18.9 million members and carries out substantial sport activities in automobile racing as well as with motorcycles (Road Racing, Motocross, Supermoto, Enduro, Trial). The national motorcycle Federation is the DMSB. «I am very happy about the meeting. There are so many activities in Germany, clubs, organisers, teams and riders as well as thousands of volunteers. The sport will be the winner», declared FIM Europe President Wolfgang Srb. «ADAC will support European motorcycle activities, especially for young riders. There is a growing demand for affordable as well as sustainable motorcycle sport», stated ADAC SportPresident Hermann Tomczyk.

In the top photo, from left, Dieter Porsch, Head of Motorcycle Division, Hermann Tomczyk, ADAC Sport President, Lars Soutschka, Director Motor Sport and Classic, Dieter Junge, ADAC Motorcycle Sport Adviser, Wolfgang Srb, FIM Europe President. Above, Hermann Tomczyk, ADAC Sport President and Wolfgang Srb, FIM Europe President

FIM Europe-FIM-FEMA

New cooperation to defend Motorcycling

On November 11th FEMA, FIM and FIM Europe representatives met in Brussels: Morten Hansen, Dolf Willigers and Rolf Frieling from FEMA, Silvio Manicardi from FIM Europe, Jesper Christensen and John Chatterton-Ross from FIM. Since July the organisations have been working on the draft OECD-ITF report on the safety of powered two whee-

lers (OECD is the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development based in Paris, which also hosts the International Transport Forum).

This group will now coordinate responses to the final report which is expected to be published shortly.

Common ground was established on the issues connected to motorcycling and mobility, but also on training, awareness of riders by other road users, infrastructure, intelligent transport systems and the need for more research.

All agreed that the OECD-ITF report will have a major impact on policy by governments and the EU institutions for many years to come.

The meeting serves as a basis for a future with further cooperation between the organisations.

In the photo, from the left, standing: Silvio Manicardi from FIM Europe, Jesper Christensen from FIM and Dolf Willigers from FEMA. Sitting, from the left, John Chatterton-Ross from FIM, Morten Hansen and Rolf Frieling from FEMA.

FIM Europe Mag 1/2014 FIM Europe Mag 2/2014

European Road Racing Championship

European­Moto2­&­Superbike On November 8th on the occasion of the last MotoGP race at the Circuit de la Comunitat Valenciana in Valencia (SPA) a meeting was held between representatives of Dorna, FIM and FIM Europe to define the details of the 2015 Road Racing European Championship formula.

The Championship will see eleven races in eight events involving classes Moto2 and Superbike.

The races, like the FIM CEV 2014, will take place in France, Portugal and Spain.

At the end of the meeting this is the statement of Dr Wolfgang Srb: «I am very happy that an agreement has been reached for a credible and attractive European Road Racing Championship. The sport is the winner!»

European­Stock­250­4­Strokes­ Few days later, on November 15th the Roof Garden of Tiber Hotel in Fiumicino, near Rome, hosted the presentation to the media of the Stock 250 4 Strokes European Championship.

It is a completely new challenge, which aims to increase the participation of young riders in a low cost road race class which will prepare to the next steps in road racing. The new championship consists in six

FIM Europe Mag 2/2014

double races and the calendar is the same as the Alpe Adria championship, with six events in Adria Raceway (Italy), Pannoniaring (Hungary), Rijeka (Croatia), Most (Czech Republic), Hungaroring (Hungary) and Slovakiaring (Slovakia).

«We wanted to organize a credible, affordable and strong road race championship for the coming years for federations, teams and riders», Dr Wolfgang Srb, FIM Europe President said. «From July we started talking with Dorna and thanks to a close cooperation next year we shall have a European Championship in Moto2 and in Superbike. We missed an easy, cheap, credible European Championship which could represent a stepping stone for young riders. Last summer we started working with Luigi Favarato, President of Alpe Adria Motorcyle Union. We don't need a challenge open only to one single brand but open to all constructors and manufacturers. Now we can afford it».

«We challenged federations and organizations to develop affordable classes for the European Championship, especially for young riders», said Mr Martin De Graaff, President of FIM Europe Sporting Council. «If you start with this class you can make a step to other, upper classes. We are

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also looking together with federations for other possibilities in other classes, so this is the beginning, not the final result. Of course we need to have many riders in the classes of the championship to pay the expenses of race tracks».

«It's a good opportunity for Alpe Adria, it's a kind of Pre-Moto3», said Luigi Favarato, Alpe Adria Motorcycle Union President.

«This is a championship for young riders who can't spend too much money. The FIM Europe asked us to write the sporting and technical rules of this class, which we did with great pleasure, also because this championship is a good opportunity not only for Alpe Adria but for many European countries».

In the photo above, from the left: Oscar Gallardo, DORNA/FIM CEV Repsol Director, Ignacio Verneda, FIM CEO, Carmelo Ezpeleta DORNA CEO, Wolfgang Srb, FIM Europe President, Alessandro Sambuco, FIM Europe Secretary General, Javier Alonso, DORNA Managing Director/Events Area.

Below, in the centre, Dr Wolfgang Srb, on the left, Mr Luigi Favarato, Alpe Adria Union President, on the right Mr Martin De Graaff, President of FIM Europe Sporting Council

FIM Europe congratulates to Vito Ippolito

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The FIM General Assembly gathered in Jerez (Spain) voted on the re-election of President Vito Ippolito with 62 votes against the 41 obtained from the other candidate Jorge Viegas.

On the same occasion were also elected three members of the FIM Board of Directors, Jacques Bolle (FRA), Nasser Khalifa Al Attiyah (QAT) and Andrzej Witkowski (POL).

At the end of the General Assembly, congratulating the newly elected President Vito Ippolito, FIM Europe President stated: «Congratulations on behalf of FIM Europe. Vito Ippolito has a long term experience in the sport in various positions and has served already since 2006 as FIM President. We are looking forward to an excellent cooperation with the European Federations and wish him all the very best. Congratulations also to the new members of the Board of Directors!» "ns and wish him all the very best".

Preparing for Congress in Malta

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In the photo, FIM Europe President Dr Wolfgang Srb congratulates to Mr Vito Ippolito for his re-election as FIM President On Monday November 17th the first inspection was held in Malta for organizing the 2015 FIM Europe Congress, from 2nd to 5th July 2015.

The Secretary General Alessandro Sambuco and the Treasurer Michal Sikora met the President of the ASMK Frans Deguara and the Secretary General Johann Pace by making a visit to the Grand Hotel Excelsior (you can see

the promo video of the Hotel at the website https://www.youtube.com /watch?v=JO3Svb5dh2M), which will host the General Assembly. It was also visited the Golden Tulip Vivaldi Hotel, where was planned the cheapest accommodation for those who will choose it.

The essential features of the two tours that will be offered to the accompanying persons, were outlined, too: on Friday there will be a boat trip to Gozo with Lunch on the Island and Saturday morning will be visited La Valletta.

Michal Sikora participated to the first inspection as organizer of the previous Congress: this ideal handover between old and new organizer of the Congress will continue from this year on, to make the business planning and optimization of financial resources more effective.

From January a monthly report will start, with updates and all relevant information to attend the Congress.

In the photo, from the left: Frans Deguara, ASMK President, Michal Sikora, FIM Treasurer, Alessandro Sambuco, FIM Secretary General, Johann Pace, ASMK Secretary General

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The Stand of MSS at Sport Fair in Belgrade, Serbia. From left FIM Europe President Dr Wolfgang Srb, MSS Secretary General Bozidar Mihailovic, MSS Secretary for Sport Danijel Vaštag, FIM Europe Secretary General Alessandro SambucoBelow, From left AMSS Secretary General Predrag Đurđev, FIM Europe Secretary General Alessandro Sambuco, Republic of Serbia Minister of Sport and Youth Vanja Udovicic, FIM Europe President Dr Wolfgang Srb, AMSS President Mirko Butulija

There are many ways for FIM Europe to be close to the Federations.

One of these is surely to contribute to credit them with the National Government for funding and contributions to the creation of Sports Facilities.

This was the aim of the visit of FIM Europe President Dr Wolfgang Srb and of Secretary General Alessandro Sambuco to the Sports Fair in Belgrade in Serbia, on 28th and 29th November.

On this occasion the AMSS MSS has presented, with a press conference, the Project

for the construction of a modern Road Racing Circuit near the border with Romania.

In the numerous meetings that followed the presentation, the representatives of FIM Europe have had the opportunity to enhance the quality of MSS Federation as emerging in the Balkans and to ask the Serb Ministers and government executives they met for all possible help for the realization of the Project.

“I consider the creation of this circuit very important not only for Serbia. It will be a great boost for the development of the Road Racing in all the Balkan Countries", Dr Wolfgang Srb stated at the end of the meetings.

From left, Motodrom CEO Milutin Anđelković, Ministry of Sport and Youth Officer Nikola Maletić, City of Loznica Deputy Major Ranka Marković Živanović,MSS Secretary General Bozidar Mihailovic, Deputy Minister of Sport and Youth, Ministry of Sport and Youth Secretary General Predrag Peruničić, FIM Europe President Dr Wolfgang Srb, MSS President Dragan Stanković, FIM Europe Secretary General Alessandro Sambuco, Ministry of Sport and Youth Chief Officer Mirko Kantar

The Balkan Motorcycle Union

Hosted the Management Council Meeting

From left: Jan Stovicek, Juhani Halme, Nina Birjukova, Michal Sikora, Dr Wolfgang Srb, Alessandro Sambuco, Silvia Monatti, Michel Turk, Martin de Graaff, Silvio Manicardi and Jean-Marc Desnues In the photo above, the prize-giving to the yong riders of the 65 cc: from the left Dimitar Grozdanov BMF (Bike number 2) and Kristian Ivanov, BMF, (Bike number 1)

Saturday­6th December­last FIEurope­Management­Council took­place­at­Hotel­Zira­in­Belgrade.­ The­meeting­was­long­but­very satisfying­and­allowed­the­Management­Council­to­highlight the­results­of­the­first­five months­of­the­new­mandate.­ «I­am­satisfied­of­the­huge quantity­of­work­carried­out thanks­to­a­cohesive­team work.­We­have­still­a­lot­to­do but­I­believe­that,­with­this­positive­atmosphere­of­collaboration,­we­will­prepare­the­next sporting­season­and­the­several project­ongoing­at­the­best», the­FIM­Europe­President­Dr.

Wolfgang­Srb­declared.

Among­the­many­decisions taken­by­the­Management Council­we­can­notice:­­€ 22.500­of­further­subsidies granted­to­the­FMNs­also thanks­to­the­development fund­created­by­the­President, renouncing­to­his­fix­indemnity;­the­approval­of­the­agreement­to­be­signed­with­Dorna for­the­European­Superbike and­Moto2­within­the­FIM­CEV Repsol­as­well­as­for­the­Superstock­600cc­joint­to­the­FIM WSBK;­the­approval­of­the starting­permission­included upon­the­one­event­and­one event­promosport­licences.

Below,­from­the­left,­Ogun­Baysan,­TMF­Vice President,­Panteley­Naydev,­BMF,­Lucian­Popoviciu,­FRM,­Cristian­Muresan,­FRM­President,­Zoran­Naumovski,­MFMa­Secretary General,­­Dr­Wolfgang­Srb,­FIM­Europe­President,­Davor­Komsic,­MSBiH­President,­Anna Chatziionnaou,­AMOTOE,­Stelios­Korelis, AMOTOE­President,­Spiros­Kalogianidis, AMOTOE,­Zoran­Trajkovski­MFMa,­Velibor Kaevski,­MFMa,­Nicoleta­Olariu,­FRM,­Dragan Stankovic,­­MSS,­Davor­Kozul,­MSBiH,­Ali­Ulusan,­TMF,­Bogdan­Nikolov,­BMF­President

EUROPEAN EUROPEAN TRIAL TRIAL CHAMPIONSHIP CHAMPIONSHIP

SPORT­NEWS

AAreview review of of the the season season

In the big photo, Martin Kroustek, sixth in the European series. Above, Maxime Warenghien, second

in the championship

The­23rd edition­of­the­European Trial­Championship­(named­now FIM­Europe)­has­been­dominated­by­German­riders,­winners­in three­of­the­five­different­categories.­ The­virtuosos­of­equilibrium,­as we­can­define­these­riders,­and their­ strange­ motorcycles­ without­ seat­ reached­ a­ very­ high level.­Watching­­trials­competition­nowadays­lets­new­spectators­astonished­by­the­incredible ability­of­the­riders,­able­to­address­ their­ bikes­ just­ moving their­ bodies­ and­ using­ the­ powerful­of­the­suspensions­over any­kind­of­obstacles.

Nevertheless­the­massive­stones to­ be­ overtaken­ or­ the­ steep banks­to­be­climbed,­this­sport­is still­ considered­ one­ of­ the­ less

dangerous­among­the­motorcycling­disciplines,­because­speed­is not­important­­to­determine­the winner.­In­Trial­competition­each rider­has­to­complete­the­many sections­feet­up,­that­means­without­touching­the­ground­with any­ foot.­ And­ in­ each­ section only­one­rider­at­the­time­is­allowed­to­enter.­The­lack­of­danger is­ attracting­ more­ and­ more young­children,­supported­by­enthusiast­parents­happy­to­carry on­less­risks­than­other­sports.

And­ only­ this­ championships take­really­care­of­young­riders, let­them­ride­in­restricted­areas, distant­from­the­danger­of­public roads.­ The­ goal­ is­ to­ give­ the chance­to­young­riders­to­have the­first­approach­in­competing abroad.­ The­ first­ experience­ in

SPORT­NEWS

From the top, Marco Fioletti (second in the Junior Class), Jack Price and above, Hakon Pedersen (respectively fifth and fourth in the championship) and, on the right, the palmares of the European Trial Championship, of the Junior Cup and of the Over 40 Cup

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meeting­riders­of­other­countries.­And this­championship­is­still­maintained­as easy­and­cheap­as­possible­for­riders­and organizers­and­continues­to­be­the­best valid­test­for­the­possible­future­number ones.

The­Europe­class­was­topped­by­German Franz­ Kadlec­ (Beta)­ after­ a­ tight­ fight with­ Belgian­ Maxime­ Warenghien (Sherco).­ In­ third­ Italian­ Luca­ Cotone (Sherco)­ who­ preceded­ Norwegian Hakon­Pedersen­(Ossa).­­We­cannot­forget­that­this­class­was­the­first­international­ trophy­ conquered­ by­ riders­ as Adam­Raga­or­Toni­Bou,­now­on­the­roof of­the­world­in­this­sport.

Sascha­ Neumann­ (Gas­ Gas)­ was­ the

champion­­in­the­Junior­class­ahead­of Italian­Marco­Fioletti­(Beta).­In­third­Swedish­Marcus­Eliasson­(Beta).­ Between­the­over­40­riders,­where­often there­are­old­ex-world­riders,­the­title went­to­one­of­them:­Finn­Jussi­Haapanen.

Among­the­ladies­it­was­the­turn­of­the beautiful­tall­German­Ina­Wilde­(Sherco), who­ engaged­ a­ close­ battle­ with­ her country­mate­­Theresa­Baulm­(Ossa).

British­Dan­Peace­(Gas­Gas)­topped­the Youth­championship­and­he­had­a­hard task­ in­ defeating­ Italian­ Luca­ Petrella (Ossa).

Mario­Candellone

FIM Europe Mag 2/2014

SPORT­NEWS

From the top, from left to right, Pere Borrellas, Ina Wilde, winner in the Women series, Jussi Haapanen (winner of the Over 40 Class) and, above, Franz Ka-

dlec, the new European champion.

On the left, the palmares of the European Women Championship, of the Youth 250 cc and of the Youth 125 cc

FIM Europe Mag 2/2014

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SPORT足NEWS

Above, from left Mr Giuseppe Luongo, President of Youthstream, and Dr Wolfgang Srb, FIM Europe President. The photo of the race was taken at the start of the 250 EMX, in Maggiora

SPORT­NEWS

The The European European Motocross Motocross Championship Championship

Interview Interview to to Mr Mr Giuseppe Giuseppe Luongo Luongo

«It is the perfect example of success made with the cooperation of everyone» the President of Youthstream comments

The European Motocross Championship has become a model for the world of Road Racing, too. How did the idea come, to have European and World Series race together?

«A long time ago Dr Wolfgang Srb and I saw the European Championship being organized on a very amateur level and there were hardly any riders coming from the European Championship into the World Championship on a good level, this is why we thought it was necessary to have a Continental series organized professionally to give the chance to the young to grow and improve their skills and the only possible way to obtain these results was to insert European events into the context of World Championship events».

What do you think is the main advantage of racing in the European Championship today?

«For the young riders a great advantage is to race at events which are professionally organized on the best Motocross tracks in Europe with television coverage and the possibilities to be seen by many thousands of spectators at the race tracks and millions on TV, and thanks to all this talented riders immediately find the possibility to race on the good professional team supported by impor-

tant sponsors and it creates the natural access to the MX2 World Championship».

What kind of efforts are there for the promoter, in order to have the European Championship race together with the World Series in many occasions?

«For the promoter and the organizer it’s a huge amount of work because we offer European Championship the same stage and services as what we offer the World Championship in terms of television coverage, professional time keeping and graphics, media support, sport and technical support, and a lot of extra work needs to be done to the race track because the more riders there are on the race track the more maintenance is needed. Holding the European Championship together with the World Championship doubles the area for the paddock, reserved parking places, toilets, showers and all the facilities in general».

What are, according to you, the reciprocal benefits for both Series deriving from the fact that they race together?

«The benefits are for everyone: first for the European Championship riders as they race on professional

tracks, professionally organized with a very big public, tv and media coverage, also for FIM-Europe who fulfill the prime goal of a Federation which is to care about the young and give them the possibilities to grow, and also for Youthstream and FIM because every year many young and talented riders from the European Championship go into the MX2 class bringing more quality and value to the World Championship».

Would you like to add your opinion on any subject you consider important to underline about the European Motocross Championship?

«I think the Motocross European Championship is the perfect example of success made with the cooperation of everyone. As I told above, thanks to the close cooperation between Youthstream, FIM, FIM Europe, riders and teams today it has become an example for all. All the top riders which currently race in MX2 and many of the top riders of MXGP have come from the European Championship and thanks to this close cooperation now we are working with FIM and with the other Continental Unions to set-up a similar system as we have in Europe».

Fiammetta La Guidara

Luca Cotone, third in the European Trial Championship

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FIM Europe Mag 2/2014