Nr 1/2014 - September/October
FIM EUROPE ELECTIONS: WOLFGANG SRB NEW PRESIDENT EUROPEAN MOTOCROSS TITLES ASSIGNED TONY CAIROLI’S 8TH TITLE: HIS START IN EUROPEAN SUPERCROSS
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«I'm here to listen all the European Federations' needs and to
DR. WOLFGANG SRB IS NEW FIM EUROPE PRESIDENT The 20th FIM Europe Congress held at the Sheraton Hotel in Crakow was the occasion for the election of the new FIM Europe President. Two were the candidates for the leadership of the Continental Union that groups 47 Federations: Wolfgang Glas from Germany and Wolfgang Srb from Austria. With a large majority, it was Wolfgang Srb to be elected: 63 votes against 12. The Congress counted the largest number of Federations ever present, with 43 FMNs out of 47, for a total of 76 disposable votes and a quorum of 39 (34 federations had 2 votes, 8 federations disposed of 1 vote and one federation had no vote). During the Congress there was the election of 8 vice-presidents, too: Nina Birjukova, LaMSF-Latvia, Jean-Marc Desnues, FFMFrance, Martin De Graaff, KNMV, The Netherlands, Juhani Halme, SML, Finland, Silvio Manicardi, FMI, Italy, Michal Sikora,PZM, Poland, Jan Stovicek ACCR, Czech Republic, Michel Turk, MUL, Luxembourg. Four judges and two auditors were also elected by acclamation.
Wolfgang Srb approached to the world of motorbikes in the early Eighties as a Sporting Steward of the Austrian Federation. «One day Heinz Kinigader (250cc Moto2
bring their messages to the right people» cross World Champion 1984 + 1985) spoke in an interview about the fact that for the first time an Austrian was leading the Motocross World Championship, but the Federation did not send a Jury Member to the races to support him», recalls Srb when asked about his first steps in motorsport. «To make a long story short: I was asked if I would be interested and I simply said yes. This is how it started». His main target is to strengthen the position of FIM Europe within the FIM family.
«FIM Europe is not only the biggest Continental Union in terms of affiliated Federations, but also in terms of the biggest number of riders, licences, organisers and events», Srb comments. «There is an urgent need for a bigger financial support from FIM for European projects.
«There are plenty of ideas in Europe and we simply want a fair share of the subventions, taking into account that we are the biggest and most active CONU. We need to give more help to developing Federations, who have financial problems. The financial crisis, that has hit the world as of 2008, is still not over». Among his goals, the development and growth of the sport in all disciplines in close cooperation with FIM, Federations and promoters, especially for young riders.
«A very good example is the European Motocross Championship, which is organised together with the Motocross World Championship at the same venue and on the same weekend», says Srb. «We need more training camps for riders as well as national coaches and trainers. We need to find a solution for the European Road Racing Championship.
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«Another important field of activity is the motorcycle tourism», Srb adds. «We must become more attractive for all these riders. We need to work in closer cooperation with FIM and other CONUs. In other words: FIM Europe needs to be more active and stronger, but at the same time the management has to work efficient and cost effective. We have to listen to the needs of our affiliated Federations and have to help and support them as much as we can. Wolfgang Srb as FIM Europe President will represent the 47 European Motorcycling Federations. «I'm not here fulfil my personal things, I'm here to listen all the European Federations' needs and to bring their messages to the right people» said Srb immediately after his election.
8 ROAD SAFETY CONFERENCE th
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The 20th FIM Europe Congress in Cracow hosted the 8th edition of Road Safety Conference. The event traditionally combines with the Continental Union Congress, and every year a different subject matter is illu-
strated. After dealing with the themes of road incidentality, of industry responses and initiatives, of the systems to improve Road Safety, on traumatic injuries and first aid, of 2-wheeler behaviour and safety, of
roadside barriers and crash tests, this year the Road Safety Conference dealt with themes related with Safety concepts and devices derived from Track, such as airbag for motorcyclists. The main aim was to demonstrate how the experience of the track can be transferred to improve road safety in everyday's use. The conference was held under the auspices of Silvio Manicardi, chairman of FIM Europe Marketing Commission, and of Jean-Pierre Moreau, Chairman of Public Affairs Commission.
As tradition dictates, the first lecturer to speak was a representative of the hosting Federation: Ms Ilona Buttler, of Road Safety Centre, in the Motor Transport Institute, opened the Conference illustrating Road Safety situation in Poland. It emerged that the percentage of motorcycle and moped riders involved in road accidents in Poland in 2013 is respectively of 3,3% and of 3% and that the percentage of killed in motorcycle accidents is 6,4%, while 2,6% is injured. Among the main causes: high speed for the conditions, illegal overtaking, failure FIM Europe Mag 1/2014
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protection system was explained, with all its devices, and in particular the Tech Air Race Control Unit, which is able to analyse the collision and classify it as a crash, detecting the necessity of "fire decision". The video with Jorge Lorenzo's high side in Laguna Seca was cast, to show the flight time and the impact with the ground. In the event of a crash, airbaig inflation requires 45 ms, the protective performance is guaranteed for 5 seconds and the deflation within 20s. In 60 s it is ready for next inflation. The following intervention was by Federico Sabbioni, Head of Vehicle Project Management in Ducati Motor Holding, who illustrated Ducati Multistrada D-Air with Dainese Airbag system together with Stefano Grasselli of Dainese. Until now, a motorcycle with airbag jacket system did not exist. Multistrada D-Air is the first ever production motorcycle wirelessly integrated with airbag riding jackets. Combining the expertise of both Ducati and Dainese, the intelligent passive safety system uses sensors built into the Multistrada's existing electronics to constantly understand the vehicle's dynamic situation and deploying only when subjected to a genuine accident scenario. The Multistrada D-Air system completes the data analysis and airbag deployment inside both the rider and passenger jackets in just 45 milliseconds, considerably reducing the risk of injury upon impact.
to maintain a safe distance. It also emerged that only 34,1% of motorcylists wears a technical jacket.
The second lecturer was racetrack designer Jarno Zaffelli from Dromo: in his intervention «From circuit safety to road safety», he explained the safety and risk analysis system he developed: DroCAS, which deals with Run Off dimensioning and risk assessment for motorsports. The core of this process is the use of latest technologies in terms of performance simulation (MotoGP and Formula 1) and risk assessment. DroCAS is used to turn incident experience in an objective tool to assess risks
inside and outside racetracks. «When we know the real limit of the track, we start to s i m u l a t e accidents depending on vehicle categories. With this huge amount of data in mind, we develop escape lines diagrams with meter by meter accuracy to locate safety barriers, concrete barriers, fences, marshalls posts and cameramen in the safest and best place, even after track modification», Zaffelli said, referring also to the correct positioning of ambulances. Another interesting theme was that by Colin Ballantyne of Alpinestars, about the «Development of an airbag system for racing». The
Ducati D-Air Street System comprehends double sensors and double radio connections, and provides the back and the chest with airbag protection and prevents hyperextension, hyperflexion and compression of the neck. The intelligent system of sensors is wirelessly connected to Ducati Apparel airbag jackets by Dainese. The Multistrada D-Air system completes the data analysis and airbag deployment inside both the rider and passenger jackets in just 45 milliseconds, considerably reducing the risk of injury upon impact. In the photo below, the 8th Road Safety Conference. From the left,Silvio Manicardi, Jean-Pierre Moreau, Ilona Buttler, Federico Sabbioni, Stefano Grasselli, Colin Ballantyne
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MXGP MXGP Academy Academy
to to be be managed managed by by FIM FIM Europe Europe – During MXGP of Belgium, round fifteen of the FIM Motocross World Championship in Lommel, Youthstream President Mr. Giuseppe Luongo joined FIM Europe President Dr. Wolfgang Srb, FIM Secretary General Alessandro Sambuco and MXGP Academy trainer and twotime FIM Motocross World Champion John Van Den Berk in a press conference to announce that as of 2015 Youthstream’s latest project the “MXGP Academy” will be officially managed by FIM Europe but will still receive ongoing support from Youthstream. The MXGP Academy trains, develops and guides young riders to achieve everything they can within the sport of motocross. Because the project targets our youth, with the youth being linked heavily to their national motorcycling federations, the next logical step in the evolution of the MXGP Academy project was to place it under the management of FIM Europe. In addition to riders’ training, MXGP Academy will also train trainers so that riders receive professional advice. Mr. Giuseppe Luongo said: «FIM Europe today has new driving force with many years of experience in motocross, Dr. Wolfgang Srb. Together we realized that it would benefit the academy more to be managed by the FIM Europe as they are regularly in contact with the national motorcycling federations, they have much 6
better contact and as a result this will assist the academy in having more structure. Youthstream will continue to partner and support the academy with media coverage, as well as financially, and we feel this is the best way to give the academy the best opportunity and more power. MXGP Academy is an essential part of the pyramid of success which starts with the MXGP Academy, then goes up to the European MX Championships, MX2 and finally the diamond point of the pyramid which is MXGP». Dr. Wolfgang Srb agreed: «For FIM Europe this is a very important and very good step, and I want to thank Mr. Giuseppe Luongo for giving us (FIM Europe) the opportunity to be the umbrella of the MXGP Academy. We, at FIM Europe, have good contacts
From the left, Mr. Alessandro Sambuco, Secretary General, Dr. Wolfgang Srb, FIM Europe President, Mr. Giuseppe Luongo, Youthstream president, and
MXGP Academy trainer John Van Den Berk
with the European Federations, but not only within Europe, we are also in contact with other continents. «The co-operation we have now with Youthstream does not exist in any other discipline, so to have the world championship and European championships combined is awesome, it’s incredible, we are able to use the exact same racing rules, the same technical rules, the same officials and now with the academy on board, step by step we can guide the young riders into the FIM Motocross World Championship».
FIM Europe Mag 1/2014
FIM Europe meets Dorna
On Friday 15th August, in occasion of the MotoGP in Brno, Dorna’s offices have hosted an important meeting between the FIM Europe, represented by its President Dr. Wolfgang Srb and the Secretary General Mr Alessandro Sambuco and the CEO of Dorna, Mr Carmelo Ezpeleta. As general subject on the table there was the future of Road Racing and, specifically, the role of the European Championship and the exam of a possible collaboration with Dorna, not only for the class Superstock 600, currently running with SBK, but also for the same European Championship. The convergence of the necessity to work for the sporting value of the European Championship, beyond the economic and organisational aspects, has seen the concrete willingness of Dorna, to find the best possible solution in close cooperation with the FIM Europe. «I am very happy about the meeting with Mr. Ezpeleta», has declared the FIM Europe President. «We have discussed relevant issues in the context of a successful European Road Racing Championship in the future as well as close cooperation FIM Europe with Dorna, which would be for the benefit of all parties: riders, teams, manufacturers, sponsors, organisers and Federations. I expect more details in the weeks to come». In the photo, Dr. Srb shakes hands with Mr. Ezpeleta.
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Meetings for the future of sport Last Summer, the series of meetings planned by FIME President Dr. Wolfgang Srb continued without a break, in order to outline quickly a framework of the current situation and future plans concerning Continental Motorcycling.
On July 23rd was held the Executive Board Meeting of the new FIM Europe management. The meeting, which is the first of the mandate which has just started after the election of Dr. Wolfgang Srb as new FIM Europe President on July 5th, was hosted by Youthstream Media, at its headquarters in Geneva Airport. Among the questions faced, it was considered important to start immediately operational activities within FIM Europe, dealing with the most relevant issues of the current management and, most importantly, starting to plan future activities both for the sport and for the non-sport matters. The economic and financial situation
was also analyzed in order to make the available resources congruent with the final phase of the sports season and with future programs. The current FIM Europe management is extremely determined to represent at its best the interests of its Federations organizing for next year "very strong" championships which can be attractive while performing their role of "launch" of young riders at national level towards the World Championships. But at the same time these championships must be "feasible" in relation to the current economic situation
that the Continent is experiencing. «I am very satisfied with the meeting and the full commitment of all the members towards a stronger FIM Europe», dr. Wolfgang Srb said. «On top of our agenda are subjects like to receive more subventions from FIM for European projects, a European Road Racing Championship as of 2015 and an efficient and cost effective management of FIM Europe».
On July 31st a joint meeting took place between FIM Europe President Wolfgang Srb, accompanied by the General Secretary
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Alessandro Sambuco, and the FIM Executive Office, represented by Ignacio Verneda, executive director of Sports Division, Steve Aeschlimann, executive director of Operations Division, and Francoise Emery, Strategy and Planning manager. The meeting was held in the Swiss city of Mies, at the FIM provisional headquarters, while the new offices are being built in the same site as the previous building in Geneve. The most important part of the meeting was devoted to discussion on sports issues with Ignacio Verneda: the current situation and future developments in all disciplines were diffusedly analized. With Steve Aeschlimann and Françoise Emery future procedures were examined, for applying for grants for 2015 projects. «I felt that it was important to talk with the FIM Administration about the cooperation in the years to come, as well as to underline our request for a substantial increase of the subventions for European projects and activities», said at the end FIM Europe President Dr. Srb. «I am confident that this will happen in the future». On the 20th August, an important meeting between the FIM President, Mr. Vito Ippolito, and the FIM Europe President, Dr. Wolfgang Srb, has taken place at the FIM Offices in Mies. Also the FIM Europe Genein the photo on the left, the start of EMX250 in Spain. Below, from the right, Dr. Wolfgang Srb, Mr. Vito Ippolito and Mr. Alessandro Sambuco
ral Secretary, Mr. Alessandro Sambuco, was present at this meeting. The first official meeting between the two Presidents, after the FIME elections held in Cracow, has seen a substantial understanding and a strong will to have a full and transparent cooperation between the two organisations, so as declared by President Srb at the end of the meeting: «The meeting with the FIM President went very well. We discussed at length issues of common interest, sporting as well as administrative. Both sides expressed their will for a close cooperation in the future and regular meetings of the Presidents as well as frequent meetings of the FIM CEO and the FIM Europe Secretary General in matters of daily business. «The harmonization of sporting rules has to continue and the President of a CONU Commission has to be a member of the corresponding FIM Commission. The sportingpyramid “National Championship –
Continental Championship – World Championship” is established and is supported by all the parties. I have underlined the request of FIM Europe, as the biggest and most active Continental Union, for a substantial increase of the subventions for European projects and activities». During the second part of the meeting, President Ippolito, together with FIM Europe General Secretary, started the examination of the reorganization plan of the General Secretariat in Rome, which will be submitted to the next FIME Management Council Meeting in Riga. The aforesaid plan foresees the implementation of human resources and the updating of the internal structure, in order to grant the effectiveness of the staff work also in view of the huge quantity of projects that are going to be launched, like the recent acquisition of the management of the Youthstream MXGP Academy, starting from 2015.
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European Road Racing On September 17th, in the offices of Italian Federation in Rome a meeting about the future of European Road Racing was held. With the coordination of Dr. Wolfgang Srb, FIM Europe President, the meeting registered the presence of Martin De Graaff, FIM Europe First Deputy President and Sporting Council President, Silvio Manicardi, FIM Europe second Deputy President, Alessandro Sambuco, Secretary General of FIM Europe, Ejgil Solkaer, Chairman of FIM Europe Road Racing Commission, Paola Bianchetti, FIM Europe General and Sport Services, Stijn Rentmeesters, Secretary General of Belgian Federation, Jochen Schaefer, Motorcycle Sport responsible in German Federation, Sébastien Poirier, General Director of French Federation, Vincent Chaumet-Riffaud, Sport Director of French Federation, Paolo Sesti, President of Italian Federation, Alfredo Mastropasqua, Marketing responsible for Ita-
lian Federation, Simone Folgori, Road Racing responsible for Italian Federation, Fabio Fazi, member of FIM Technical Commission, Luigi Favarato, President of Alpe Adria Motorcycle Union, Stelios Korelis, President of Greek Federation, Jacek Molik, Road Racing responsible of the Polish Federation, Iannis Tzortzopoulos, Road Racing Commission of Greek Federation and Stefano Pacchioli, Dorna COO World SBK. The proposals from Fabio Fazi, from Alfredo Mastropasqua, from Mr. Ejgil Solkaer, from KNMV, from Rezso Bulcsu, Mr Gerry
Brice of Racedays Promotion, from the Slovak Federation and from the Federation of Luxembourg were discussed. Dr. Srb was extremely pleased by the proposal of Dorna, that FIM CEV Repsol International Championship will become the new European championship for Moto2 and Superbike classes, while European 600 Superstock will be maintained in the calendar of World Superbike Championship. The participants underlined the necessity of a low cost European Moto3 class for young riders.
In the photo below, sitting, from the left Martin De Graaff, FIM Europe First Deputy President and Sporting Council President, FIM Europe President Dr. Wolfgang Srb, Alessandro Sambuco, Secretary General of FIM Europe, Ejgil Solkaer, Chairman of FIM Europe Road Racing Commission. Standing, from the left, Jacek Molik, Road Racing responsible of the PZM, Paola Bianchetti, FIM Europe General and Sporting Services, Jochen Schaefer, Motorcycle Sport responsible in DMSB, Vincent Chaumet-Riffaud, Sport Director of FFM, Iannis Tzortzopoulos, Road Racing Commission of AMOTOE, Stefano Pacchioli, Dorna COO World SBK, Alfredo Mastropasqua, Marketing responsible for FMI, Simone Folgori, Road Racing responsible for FMI, Fabio Fazi, member of FIM Technical Commission, Luigi Favarato, President of Alpe Adria Motorcycle Union, Silvio Manicardi, FIM Europe second Deputy President, Stelios Korelis, President of AMOTOE and Stjn Rentmeesters, Secretary General FMB
Full agenda
for Dr. Wolfgang Srb
Full agenda for FIM Europe President on 18th September in Rome: Dr. Wolfgang Srb started his day with his official settlement in his Italian office, where his staff and Secretary General work. During the day, Dr. Srb had two important meetings, with President of the European Weightlifting Federation Mr. Antonio Urso and Prof. Fabio Pigozzi, President of the International Sports Medicine Federation and Rector of the State University of Rome “Foro Italico”. The cooperation between FIM Europe and the European Weightlifting Federation had already started last February, with a Workshop on Weight Training for motorcycling riders, reserved to FIME FMNs Trainers, in the Austrian city of Graz. The two disciplines, in fact, have several points in common, and they reveal complementary in training, since weightlifting allows riders to increase their strength without augmenting muscular mass, and therefore weight. The meeting with Prof. Pigozzi was meant to continue the strong partnership started in 2011 and 2012 with two Sports Medicine Courses for Event Physicians held respectively in Imola and San Marino. Motorcycling and Sports Medicine should share experiences at all levels in future.The two meetings are part of FIM Europe project to maintain and FIM Europe Mag 1/2014
establish new relationships with other Federations at European and World level. "It is of utmost importance for FIM Europe and the affiliated National Federations that we have contacts beyond our ‘typical’ motorcycle activities, with other International Sports Federations as well as with University Professor, Science and Research", Dr. Srb said. “This will be for the benefit for all of us. I consider these activities as a per – manent task”.
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Above, Dr. Srb in his office in FIM Europe General Secretariat in Rome. Below, Dr. Srb with, from the left, Prof. Pigozzi and Mr. Sambuco, and, sitting at the table, with Mr. Urso and Mr. Sambuco
ORT NEWS
European Motocross: the 2014 champions
The European Motocross championship concluded its 2014 season in Belgium, on Lommel circuit. Six classes involved: 65 amd 85 cc for the youngest riders, and then 125, 150, 250 and 300 cc, with a different calendar according to the various classes, but always in the contest of the Motocross world championship. So which started in Trentino in April and continued for seven spectacular events in the circuits of Sevlievo, in Bulgaria, on Valkenswaard, in The Netherlands, of Saint Jean d’Angely in France, and then in Teutschental, in Germany, Loket, in Czech Republic, up to the 12
final races in the Belgian circuit of Lommel for 125 cc. The 150 cc calendar was slightly different, with five races, in Valkenswaard, in the British circuit of Matterley Basin, in Winchester, in Teutschenthal, in Loket and in Lommel, the 250 cc and 300 cc class followed the same calendar: started in Sevlievo and continued in Spain, in Talavara de la Reina, in Matterley Basin, in the Italian track of Maggiora, in Uddevalla, Sweden, in Hyvinkaa, Finland, and then concluded in Lommel. As for the smallest classes, 65 and 85cc, there was a single race, in Finland, last July.
All classes showed full grids and fast; involving races. EMX125 In the 125 cc German-Taiwanese Brian Hsu on Suzuki started with a 5th and a 2nd place in GP of Trentino and scored his first win at the fourth race of the season, in France, but in the following two GPs he collected two doubles, and managed to conquer the European title in front of Alvin Ostlund: the Swedish rider scored a double in the last race but it was not enough. Third position in championship for Davy Pootjes, from Nederland, who collected five wins, with a double in Italy and in his home FIM Europe Mag 1/2014
SPORT NEWS
In the photo on the left, the start of EMX300 in Belgium, above, the podium of the EMX65 class, with Dr. Wolfgang Srb on the left and, on the podium, the new champion, Russian rider Nikita Kucherov on KTM, who scored a second and a first place in Hyvinkaa, beating Swedish Noel Nilsson and compatriot Maxim Kraev, both on KTM, too. Below, a shot of the race of EMX125 in France.
SPORT NEWS
The start of EMX300 in Finland and, below, the arrival of Wilkie Albie in EMX150 in Great Britain
track, but missed collecting point in the races of Germany and Belgium.
EMX150 The 150 cc class saw two strongest riders dwelling for the title: English Albie Wilkie and Finnish Jere Haavisto, both on Honda. They finished the season separated by only 2 points, with Alibie Wilkie new 150 cc European Champion, after winning four races, with a double in the home-circuit, and three second places. Jere Haavisto, on his hand, collected five wins, with a double in the final race in Belgium, and three second places, but a failure in the second moto in Germany was determinant. The third place in the final standings belongs to Albin Larsen, from Sweden, who never won but collected two podiums.
EMX250 Incredible equality of forces in the 250 cc class, between British rider Steven Clarke and Dutch Brian Bogers, both on KTM: after 14 motos the two riders ended the championship with the same points: 237 each. So the title was assigned according to the numbers of victories: two for Clarke, one for Bogers, who had to settle for the second position in championship. One win, but 23 points of difference, for the third rider of the final standing: Adam Sterry, from Great Britain, riding KTM, too. 14
EMX300 The 300 cc class found its dominator since the first race: Italian Samuele Bernardini on TM scored a double in Bulgaria and managed to repeat his fully successful days in Italy, Sweden and Finland. With his single moto wins inn England and Belgium, he collected ten victories in 14 races. Up to the last race, however, his compatriot Marco Maddii on KTM, who ended up ten times on the podium, scoring one win. English rider Lewis Gregory finished his season in third position, with two wins and showing a very good shape in the
last two events, where he collected four second places. JUNIOR CLASSES In the EMX65 the new champion is Russian rider Nikita Kucherov on KTM, who scored a second and a first place in Hyvinkaa, beating Swedish Noel Nilsson and compatriot Maxim Kraev, both on KTM, too. In EMX85, Belgian Jago Geerts on KTM won both motos in Finland, conquering the Continental title in front of Dutch Roan Van De Moosdijk, twice second, and Finnish Kim Savaste, twice third. The three rides were all on KTM.
SPORT NEWS
Tony Cairoli:
«The smart challenge of European Motocross» Tony Cairoli has just conquered his 8th world title in motocross and it is not a mistery to anybody that he points to winning at least two more ones, in order to reach the 10 world championships won by Stefan Everts, the most winning rider of all up to now. Among all his successful seasons, there is also a Continental title: it was in 2006, and he had already won a world title in MX2 when he decided to take part to the European Supercross Championship. Which he won, of course. A successful rider, but a gentle, quiet, absolutely unostentatious man, Tony Cairoli is very willing to recall that period with us. «I had just finished a demanding season in MX2», Cairoli says. «But I really wanted to try Supercross, also because in that period I was still thinking of racing in the USA. I managed to take part to the two championships because Supercross started just after the end of the world series. Supercross is very far from motocross: from tracks to motorbikes, from training to raceformats, everything is different, but I think it's very useful because it helps you to grow, especially from the technical point of view. That year we raced in Spain, in Italy, in France, in Switzerland and in Germany. I collected three wins». Which is the race you liked more? «The last one, in Germany: I did not win, but with some placements I conquered the Continental title. I can't forget it». FIM Europe Mag 1/2014
Did you ever race in European Motocross? «A long time ago, I took part to three races, in the 85 cc class. I was 12 or 13 years old. I collected a third position and a retirement for technical problems in France, two fifth places in Czech Republic, and a victory in Italy, in San Severino Marche track». Nowadays the European Motocross Championship races are performed in the context of the World series. What do you think of this new formula? «I think it's a very good idea, because it gives to young riders the chance to see the world classes, which means learning more quickly». Things were different when you were younger... «Yes, everything was more difficult». Who was your favourite rider when you were a boy? «Among the Italians I liked Alex Puzar's style». And when did you meet him for the first time? «In Arsago Seprio, in 1999, for Fast Cross. I just said hello to him...» Now, thanks to the European Championship, young riders can ride side to side to the champions. This is the case of Joakim Furbetta, the fastest Italian rider in 125 in 2014, who sometimes trains with 8 times world champion Tony Cairoli. Which, compared to Tony's meeting with Alex Puzar of several years ago, confirms that now things
are heavily different for young guys who want to race in motocross at high levels: the European series confirms itself a clever formula, the best arena for all those who aim to world success. Claudio De Carli A former rider, Claudio De Carli "discovered" Tony Cairoli in 2003, called him in his team and ever since the two continued together their careers in motocross. Up to now they have won 8 World titles and 1 European championship. In 2014 Claudio De Carli placed his rider Joakim Furbetta in 125 European Championship and in the next season he will have a Junior Team, with the support of KTM. «I saw Tony by chance», recalls Claudio. «In that period there was not a European series, so I always think that if I hadn't noticed his talent on that day, maybe years would have passed before somebody else would notice him, or maybe it would have never happened... You never can say. Today things have changed in better for young riders: racing in the same context of world series means that they can learn watching older riders and they have the chance to show their talent to team managers and sponsors». 15
FIM EUROPE INSIDE
– F IM Europe is a Continental Union, recognised by FIM, that groups 47 National Federations and 6 Regional Motorcycling Associations together and its aims are to develop and proand its aims are to develop and promote all forms of motorcycling in Eumote all forms of motorcycling in Europe as well as the co-operation and friendship between its members. This is what we all know. But maybe not everybody knows that people who
work in FIM Europe are motorcymotorcyclists, too. Motorcycling is a particular topic: if you are keen on it and if you do pracyou are keen on it and if you do practice it - in any form - you can really know what are the things motorcymotorcyclists need. From sporting to road saclists need. From sporting to road safety, from encouraging the use of motorcycles in everyday use to devemotorcycles in everyday use to developing motorcycle tourism, from suploping motorcycle tourism, from sup-
porting the creation and develop ment of motorcycling activities to orment of motorcycling activities to organizing camps and seminars for riders, officials, coaches and ad ministrators of various FIM Europe Members: not one of these aims could be pursued in the same way if people who "compose" FIM Europe were not motorcyclists, too. We spent a day with four of them,
FIM EUROPE INSIDE
Pure motorcyclists who organised a pleasing touristic ride by bike: Alessandro Sambuco, FIM Europe Secretary General, MarMartin De Graaff, FIM Europe 1 st Deputy President, Rodolfo Romeo Chairman of FIM Europe Judicial Panel and Gianfranco D'Orazi, Honorary ChairGianfranco D'Orazi, Honorary Chairman of FIM Europe Judicial Panel. They met early in the morning near Civitavecchia and left for a whole day
Like you
ride. On their bikes - all BMW - the four of them rode for about 400 kms, visiting the old towns of MontefiaMontefiascone, Tarquinia, Farnese and Tuscascone, Tarquinia, Farnese and Tuscania, touring around the lake of Bolsena and reaching Tuscany, to see the ancient, characteristic town of Pithe ancient, characteristic town of Pitigliano. During the lunch, in Ischia di Castro, we asked them some quequestions about their passion for motorstions about their passion for motor-
bikes, and discovered some intereinteresting things. "I've been riding a motorcycle since I was 18: my first bike was a Ducati 250", says Martin De Graaff, FIM Eu250", says Martin De Graaff, FIM Europe 1 st Deputy President. "But it is in the last 15 years that I started doing motorcycle tourism seriously, riding about 15.000 kms a year. I've been at 5 FIM Rallies and the most
FIM EUROPE INSIDE
From the left, Martin De Graaff, Rodolfo Romeo, Gianfranco D’Orazi and Alessandro Sambuco
enjoyable journeys were in Ireland and Estonia. But if you forget rain and cold, all the rest is good, in any occacold, all the rest is good, in any occasion when you are riding. I also raced in enduro when I was younger, and now from time to time I still go with my son". "I started racing in enduro and moto"I started racing in enduro and motorally in 1983 with my first licence taken with Moto Club Roma", says Alessandro Sambuco, FIM Europe SeAlessandro Sambuco, FIM Europe Secretary General. "Since I had been training riders already for a while, I wanted to discover whether they were sort of aliens or if I could get some sporting results, too! I raced up to 1991 and in 2006 I founded Motorto 1991 and in 2006 I founded Motorsport Training & Medicine AssociaAssociation and started my activity in motorcycle tourism. My latest impormotorcycle tourism. My latest important journey by bike was a pilgrimage 18
to Santiago de Compostela, in Spain, in 2011. At the moment my job as FIM Europe SecreSecretary General does not leave me the time to travel much, so this year I have the negative record of diyear I have the negative record of distance covered: only 1.000 kms. I go to the office by scooter every day, but
it does not count! My best memory on a motorbike? All enduro races: since you always race in enchanting places, even if was raining or snosnowing, or if I had to cross rivers in flood, the things I remember more are landscapes, colours and smells. Another beautiful experience was in Sardinia: in 5 years of Rally School I traced 1.500 kms of roadbooks in dream places". "My first ‘international’ trip by mo "My first ‘international’ trip by mo -
FIM EUROPE INSIDE
“People don’t take trips... trips take people”
John Steinbeck
torcycle was in Greece, with a Honda 350 Four silver grey", recalls Rodolfo Romeo, Chairman of FIM Europe Judicial Panel. "I was just 18. Then I discovered offroad and started riding on the sand in Africa, but I also took part to motorallies in Italy, with a Honda XR600. I have ridden in 67 different Countries, but my best memory is linked to a jourmy best memory is linked to a journey in Etiopia: when we arrived with our bikes people stared at us as if we came from another planet!" FIM Europe Europe Mag Mag 1/2014 4/2014 FIM
concludes Rodolfo Romeo, who is also President of Moto Club Roma, which is one of the oldest motorcywhich is one of the oldest motorcycle associations in Europe . "Up to now I've taken part to 43 FIM Rallyes", says Gianfranco D'Orazi, Honorary Chairman of FIM Europe JuHonorary Chairman of FIM Europe Judicial Panel, after having been its Predicial Panel, after having been its President for years. "I started travelling in 1969 and among the rallies I remember with more pleasure there are those of Lumore pleasure there are those of Lublin, in Poland, in the period of the
Iron Curtain, and a really beautiful journey in Tunisia. When I was younjourney in Tunisia. When I was younger I also took part to races: to the fager I also took part to races: to the famous "Motogiro", which now is lives in its Memorial edition, but I attenattended it in its ‘real’ form, when it comded it in its ‘real’ form, when it comprehended special tests of speed and of regularity". FIM Europe is made up of pure momotorcyclists. Exactly like you. Fiammetta La Guidara
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FIM Europe Mag 4/2014