FIM Europe MAG 4 2015

ALL THE PHOTOS OF THE FIM EUROPE CONGRESS

FOCUS ON: ENDURO

Nr 4/2015 - July/August

INDEX

INDEX

FIM EUROPE MAGChief Editor: Fiammetta La GuidaraPhotos: Dorna, Youthstream, R. Pairan, M. Zanzani,Romano Neri, Fiammetta La Guidara

FIM EUROPEVia Giulio Romano, 1800196 - Rome Italy E-mail: [email protected]

FIM Europe MAG #4 July - August 2015The articles published in this magazine do not neces-sarily reflect the official position of FIM Europe. The content of this publication is based on the bestknowledge and information available at the time thearticles were written.The copyring of articles and photos even partially isforbidden unless permission has been requested fromFIM Europe in advance and reference is made to thesource (©FIM Europe)

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9th Road Safety Conference

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Focus on Enduro: interview with Marco Bolzonello

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FIM Europe Congress in MaltaFIM Europe Congress in Malta

The island of Malta hosted the 21st edition of the FIM EuropeCongress, which was held from 2nd to 4th July.This issue of FIM Europe MAG is mainly dedicated to the event.

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FIM Europe CongressFIM Europe CongressFirst contact with mediaFirst contact with media

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As soon as FIM Europe staff ar-rived in Malta to organise theCongress Secretariat, a pressconference was organised byASMK, the Assocjazzjoni SportMuturi u Karozzi, which isgoing to host the FIM EuropeCongress.The press conference was tointroduce to the media theContinental event, which willstart on July 2nd and will con-tinue for three days in GrandHotel Excelsior of Malta.The meeting was held in thehotel which will host the Con-

gress announced the firstnumbers of the event. «At the moment, more than250 delegates coming from 38National Motorcycling Fede-rations have already confir-med their presence to this21st FIM Europe Congress»,said Alessandro Sambuco, FIMEurope Secretary General. «The Congress will host FIMEurope delegates to discussand approve decisions regar-ding management and all kindof issues in the field of Motor-cycling», stated ASMK Presi-

dent, Frans Deguara. «Besi-des, the Road Safety Confe-rence, this year will deal withelectronics on motorcyclesand where the local situationabout motorcycling in Maltawill be presented, too».Mrs Fiammetta La Guidara,FIM Europe Press Officer, invi-ted the collegues to take partto the General Assembly, butalso to the Road Safety Confe-rence, and confirmed full sup-port to the media for theCongress which will take itsstart on Thursday, July 2nd.

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On Wednesday July 1st eve-rything is ready for the startof the 21st edition of the FIMEurope Congress in Malta.The organisation of such anevent is not an easy task andit starts already the dayafter the end of the previousannual Congress. The FIM Europe staff arrivedyesterday in Malta and star-ted organising the practicalaspects of the Meeting,which will start on July 2nd,to last up to July 4th.

With the support of ASMK,the Assocjazzjoni Sport Mu-turi u Karozzi, which is goingto host the Congress, theday before the event the FIMEurope staff welcomed thefirst 50 delegates. Withinthe following morning 200more delegates would ar-rive, to represent a whole of38 National Motorcycling Fe-derations. The aim of the Congress,which is the first with thePresidency of Dr Wolfgang

Srb, is to discuss and ap-prove decisions regardingmanagement and all kind ofissues in the field of Motor-cycling and Touring. A new edition of the RoadSafety Conference will beheld too, which will dealwith electronics on motorcy-cles and where the local si-tuation about motorcyclingin Malta will be presented.

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On July 2On July 2ndnd the 21the 21stst FIM EuFIM Eu--rope Congress kicked off inrope Congress kicked off inthe Grand Hotel Excelsior inthe Grand Hotel Excelsior inMalta. Malta. As scheduled, the programAs scheduled, the programstarted with the meetings ofstarted with the meetings ofthe Sporting and Non-Sporthe Sporting and Non-Spor--ting Council, where relevantting Council, where relevantissues were discussed withissues were discussed withthe chairmen of the variousthe chairmen of the variousCommissions.Commissions.The whole day the delegatesThe whole day the delegates

continued to arrive at thecontinued to arrive at theGrand Hotel Excelsior,Grand Hotel Excelsior,where the Congress is beingwhere the Congress is beingheld (in the photo). held (in the photo). On the next day the programOn the next day the programwould foresee the Meetingswould foresee the Meetingsof the Management Council,of the Management Council,Commissions and Panels, theCommissions and Panels, theRoad Safety Conference andRoad Safety Conference andthe Meeting with the Secrethe Meeting with the Secre--taries General. taries General.

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Above and below, thewelcome desk, withdelegates checkingin.Below, the FIM Eu-rope Congress Secre-tariat. From the left,Silvia D’Amico, An-drea Diamantini, Sil-via Monatti,Alessandro Sambucoand ASMK PresidentFrans Deguara

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On the right FIM EuropePresident Dr WolfgangSrb with Jean Pierre Mo-reau, Chairman of theFIM Europe Public AffairsCommission

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Below, the SportingCouncil. On the left Ivo Tsveta-nov, Chairman of theSupermoto Commis-sion, with Marco Bolzo-nello, Chairman of theEnduro and RallyCommission. On the right AndersMinken, Chairman ofthe Trial Commissionand José Artur Cam-pos Costa, Chairmanof the Vintage Com-mission

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Below Jan Stovicek, FIM Europe Vice-Pre-sident, with Eddie Herd, Chairman of theMotocross and Snowcross Commission andPiotr Szymanski, Chairman of the Track Ra-cing Commission.Above, from the left Martin de Graaff, 1st

Deputy President, Dr Wolfgang Srb, FIMEurope President and Michal Sikora, Trea-surer.Below, Stijn Rentmeesters, Chairman of theMarket ing, Promotion and Industry Com-mission.

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In the photo above, from the leftKarl Voegele, Chairman of the Mo-toball Commission, Ejgil Solkaer,Chairman of the Road Racing Com-mission and Palle Lind, Chairman ofthe Drag Racing Commission.Aside, Adamo Leonzio, Chairman ofthe Environment CommissionBelow, Silvio Manicardi, 2nd DeputyPresident.

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On the left, Silvia D’Amico,FIM Europe staff, with theofficial cap of the Congress.

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On Friday 3On Friday 3rd rd the 21the 21stst FIM EuropeFIM EuropeCongress lived its second day ofCongress lived its second day ofactivity in Malta.activity in Malta.As scheduled, the ManagementAs scheduled, the ManagementCouncil was held, so as the MeeCouncil was held, so as the Mee--tings of the Commissions and Patings of the Commissions and Pa--nels. In the afternoon, the Roadnels. In the afternoon, the RoadSafety Conference took place,Safety Conference took place,which was very successful, withwhich was very successful, withbig attendance of delegates andbig attendance of delegates andmedia. media. The day ended with the traditioThe day ended with the traditio--nal meeting of the Secretariesnal meeting of the SecretariesGeneral, where various issuesGeneral, where various issues

were discussed, like insurancewere discussed, like insuranceand licences. Professor Nils Ryrand licences. Professor Nils Ryr--holm from the University of Gaeholm from the University of Gae--vle (Sweden) presented thevle (Sweden) presented theproject ‘Motorsport and Biodiproject ‘Motorsport and Biodi--versity’.versity’.The next day the Congress willThe next day the Congress willlive its third day and the programlive its third day and the programwill start with the Sporting andwill start with the Sporting andNon-Sporting Council Meetings,Non-Sporting Council Meetings,followed by the Managementfollowed by the ManagementCouncil. In the afternoon thereCouncil. In the afternoon therewill be the General Assembly.will be the General Assembly.


The welcome desk, with delega-tes checking in.

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Above, Rodolfo Romeo, AlessandroSambuco and Michel Turk.In the centre, Martin de Graaff with Lau-rent Delbroek.Below Gianluca Avenoso, Tony Skillin-gton and Paolo Sesti.

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On the left, the President of theASMK Frans Deguara welcomesFIM President Vito Ippolito in Malta.Below, the Meeting of the Manage-ment Council

FIM EUROPE INSIDE FIM Europe Presi-dent, Dr WolfgangSrb, with a group ofdelegates.Below the Road Ra-cing Commission, On the right, the Mo-toball Commission,

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On the opposite page, from the top,the Enduro Commission and the Moto-cross and Snowcross Commission.Above, a group of delegates.

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On the opposite page, the Medical Panel.Above, the Touring Commission.Below, the Track Racing Commission

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Above the Vintage Commission, aside the Public Affairs Commission and below the Trial Commission. Below, the Drag Racing Commission

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In the opposite page, from thetop, FIM Europe President, DrWolfgang Srb with Martin deGraaff and Michel Turk,Above, from the left, LaurentDelbroek, Juhani Halme, Jean-Marc Desnues, Silvio Mani-cardi, Silvia Monatti andAlessandro Sambuco, FIM Eu-rope Secretary General.Below the Public Affairs Com-mission

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The 21st FIM Europe Congress inMalta hosted the 9th edition ofRoad Safety Conference, whichtraditionally deals with the mostimportant and updated topics ofthe matter. In the latest years,the Road Safety Conference dealtwith road incidentality, industryresponses and initiatives, the sy-stems to improve Road Safety,traumatic injuries and first aid, 2wheeler behaviour and safety, ro-adside barriers and crash tests,

and, last year, with themes rela-ted with Safety concepts and de-vices derived from Track, such asairbag for motorcyclists.

This year the Road Safety Confe-rence dealt with the develop-ment of electronics to increaseusability and safety both on trackand on road.

The conference was held underthe auspices of Silvio Manicardi,FIM Europe vice-president, and

of Jean-Pierre Moreau, Chairmanof Public Affairs Commission.

The first lecturer to speak was arepresentative of the hostingCountry, Mrs Audrey Testaferratade Noto, Transport Malta, whoalso gave the statistics of the Is-land as for 2 and 4 wheels. In par-ticular, in 2014 there were 18.400licensed motorcycles, 278 roadaccidents with motorcyclists. Themost common collisions are with

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99TH TH ROAD SAFETY ROAD SAFETY CONFERENCECONFERENCE

motor vehicles emerging fromside roads.

Mr John Chatterton-Ross, FIMEurope Director of Public Af-fairs, made his intervention on“Current issues facing motorcy-cling from Brussels”: the Euro-pean Court of Justice and thecase of Mr Vnuk (insurance pro-blems in sporting events); PPE -Personal protective Equipmentstandards (gloves, boots, jac-

kets, clothing and one piecesuits); EU ‘White Paper’ onTransport (not to forget Eu-rope’s 38 million riders!); Euro5 emissions standards for powe-red two wheelers - threat ofcity bans; relations betweenFIM, FIM Europe and the Fede-ration of European Motorcy-clists Associations, FEMA.

The third lecturer to speak wasAntonio Perlot, Secretary Gene-

ral of ACEM, with his speech on“The safe ride to the future -Industry commitment to roadsafety”. Starting from a recapof the motorcycle industry inEurope, Perlot stressed the di-versity of vehicles, owners andpurposes (commuting, leisure,sport) and that congestion costsEurope about 1% of its GrossDomestic Product (GDP) everyyear. The speech faced the po-licy orientations of road safety

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The Road Safety Conference: above, Silvio Manicardi during the introduction

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for 2011-2020, and the safety trends, as well as the in-dustry approach to road safety. In the end, the renewedACEM road safety strategy was illustrated.

Matthias Moerbe, Vice President of Technology Manage-ment System and Components of Bosch EngineeringGmbH, spoke of “The electronic on road bikes and on cir-cuit: how they help each other in the development ofbetter systems for road use”. The main topics were trac-tion control, lean angle sensor, ABS and MSC, gear shift,drive by wire, semi active suspension, airbag and datarecording, to conclude that road bikes and on circuit be-nefit from the same technology and inspire each other.

The full presentations of the Conference are publishedon FIM Europe website in “Social” section.

In the opposite page Jean Pierre Moreau during the RoadSafety Conference and, below, the attendance.Above, from the left, Perit Audrey Testaferrata de Noto(Transport Malta), John Chatterton-Ross (Director PublicAffairs FIM-Europe), Antonio Perlot (Secretary GeneralACEM) and Matthias Moerbe (Vice-President Systems andComponents Technology Management Bosch)

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The 21st FIM Europe Congresshosted the Secretaries Gene-ral Meeting. Among the themes whichwere dealt with, very intere-sting was the speech of Pro-fessor Nils Ryrholm, whomade a presentation on Bio-diversity showing that forthe global ecosystem servi-ces it is essential a compo-nent of nature that keepsthe environment balancedand makes life run conti-nuously on the basis of mu-tual interdependence ofplants and animals. The exi-stence of different orga-nisms creates a balance

depending on each other forsurvival. Biodiversity is espe-cially depending on conti-nuity of the habitats. If thehabitat remains the same itwill keep a higher biodiver-sity, and a continous distur-bance like on a motortrackassures this kind of conti-nuity. Without continous di-sturbance from the bikes itwill be lost. Seen from thisperspective motortrackchanges character from anenvironmental problem to aresource for both the envi-ronment and the society. The FIM Europe support forthe biodiversity project on

European level would be ofgreat help for saving a num-ber of tracks. Namely thosefacing the risk of getting clo-sed due to their assumedonly negative impact on theenvironment. The FIM Eu-rope President remarks hehas been waiting for thissince years, and in his opi-nion FIM Europe has to dothe best out of this new per-spective and that a discus-sion is necessary about thisissue. The Secretary GeneralAlessandro Sambuco refersall eventual questions to Pro-fessor Ryrholm. During the conference, the

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On the opposite page, Alessandro Sambuco, FIM Europe Secretary Ge-neral, with Silvia Monatti and Paola Bianchetti. Above, Ignacio Verneda, FIM CEO, during his speech. Below, the audience, with FIM Europe President Dr Wolfgang Srb and,sitting near him, John Chatterton Ross, Director of Public Affairs

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issue of insurance in sports was dealtwith, too.The Secretary General and FIM CEO, MrIgnacio Verneda, had a meeting inMilan with the international insurancebroker Marsh. However the FIM is al-ready evaluating also other proposalsreceived by different brokers. Marsh isalready present in Superbike. The insu-rance problem affects all Federationsand especially the biggest ones be-cause it is not possible to be sure if arider arriving in a Country is in posses-sion of the appropriate licence. The in-surance situation was discussed in aFIM meeting organized in March in Miesto evaluate the situation with the spe-cific Working Group, whose intent is tofind a fair insurance system for eve-ryone.The problem is the coverage of the in-ternational licence and for the WorkingGroup it is necessary to find a brokergiving the chance to include the medi-cal treatment and repatriation in thecoverage and to solve the insuranceproblem also for CONUs.

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Another interesting topic wasthat of best practice in admini-stration. The Secretary Gene-ral Alessandro Sambuco hasvisited in February, togetherwith Ms. Silvia Monatti, SVEMOHeardquarter in Norrköping,Sweden, with the main pur-pose to view the RA Admini-stration system which is usedby this Federation since 5years. This computer systemcombines all different activi-ties of a Federation such as ca-lendar, licences, circuits, ridersetc. and can be personalizedto the requirements of allFMNs. With this system theclubs are able to manage allcompetitions and competitorsattending the events. It is very

complex to show its functio-ning, but SVEMO will be availa-ble for the interested partiesto explain the system and an-swer all questions. FMB wouldlike to organize a presentationof SVEMO system in Brussel andFIM Europe will be at disposalfor a date to be established.Alessandro Sambuco also re-minded about the creation ofthe FIM Europe Club which isaddressed to all Officials, Ho-norary Members (present inFIM Europe Yearbook) and allthe Presidents and SecretariesGeneral of the European FMNs.No membership fee is foreseenand the costs will be borne bythe participants to the events.Aim of the Club is for the

members to share both workand free time, to spend timetogether in a gathering and toride a bike and to have the op-portunity to get to know eachother better, to increase coo-peration and the level of trustbetween the people. The Se-cretary General will be the or-ganizer of the first event whichwill take place inTuscany/Italy, from 16th to 19thOctober 2015. The base will beHotel Borgo Tre Rose, betweenMontepulciano and Cortona.The Experience will consist inriding and visiting Tuscany, Fi-renze-Monteriggioni-Montepul-ciano-Pienza-Montalcino.

Below Filippo Bellotti, SEL representative,On the opposite page, from the top, Nils Ryrholm and John Chatterton Ross, Director of Public Affairs during their speeches

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The 21The 21stst FIM Europe Congress inFIM Europe Congress inMalta finished successfully withMalta finished successfully withthe Meetings of the Sporting andthe Meetings of the Sporting andNon-Sporting Councils, the MaNon-Sporting Councils, the Ma--nagement Council as well as thenagement Council as well as theGeneral Assembly in the afterGeneral Assembly in the after--noon. There were 38 Nationalnoon. There were 38 NationalFederations present and overFederations present and over250 delegates. 250 delegates. Important decisions were taken,Important decisions were taken,among them the approval of theamong them the approval of the

2014 Balance-sheet, of the 20152014 Balance-sheet, of the 2015Budget and the election of oneBudget and the election of oneauditor (Mr Tapio Nevala fromauditor (Mr Tapio Nevala fromFinland), additions to the SporFinland), additions to the Spor--ting Code as well as to the Disciting Code as well as to the Disci--plinary and Arbitration Code. plinary and Arbitration Code. Comprehensive reports haveComprehensive reports havebeen presented about the Sporbeen presented about the Spor--ting as well the Non-Sporting acting as well the Non-Sporting ac--tivities. tivities. The General Assembly approvedThe General Assembly approved

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the bid of the Luxembourg Fedethe bid of the Luxembourg Fede--ration to organise the 2017 FIMration to organise the 2017 FIMEurope Congress in the city ofEurope Congress in the city ofLuxembourg. Luxembourg. «I am very pleased with the re«I am very pleased with the re--sults of the Congress in Malta»,sults of the Congress in Malta»,Dr Wolfgang Srb stated.Dr Wolfgang Srb stated. «Impor«Impor--tant decisions for the future oftant decisions for the future ofFIM Europe have been taken.FIM Europe have been taken.The atmosphere and the coopeThe atmosphere and the coope--ration during all these daysration during all these days

were excellent and I am happywere excellent and I am happywith the strong support for ourwith the strong support for ourcommon targets. Malta was acommon targets. Malta was amost beautiful venue and I hopemost beautiful venue and I hopethat we will return one day».that we will return one day».The 22The 22ndnd edition of the FIM Euedition of the FIM Eu--rope Congress will take placerope Congress will take placefrom 30from 30thth June to 2June to 2nd nd July in KaJuly in Ka--vala, Greece.vala, Greece.

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Above Silvio Manicardiexplaining during thesession of the Manage-ment Council.In this page, somemore photos of the Ma-nagement Council onthe Day 3 of the FIMEurope Congress, justbefore the General As-sembly

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Aside Vito Ippolito, FIMPresident, in his wel-come speech, andbelow, 1st Deputy Presi-dent Martin de Graaffduring his report aboutthe Sporting activitiesAt the bottom, the au-dience.

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Above, Michel Turk, president of Luxembourg Federation, presenting the bid for the 2017 Congress in Luxembourg.On the opposite page, Laurent Delbroek during his speech.Below, the audience

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Aside, Dr Wolfgang Srb withAMSK President, Frans De-guara, who receives a plateof memory for the 30th anni-versary of the Maltese Fe-deration.In the centre, Håkan Lee-man, who receives a plateof memory for the 80th an-niversary of SVEMO.At the bottom Amedeo Mi-chelotti who receives aplate of memory for the 50thanniversary of the San Ma-rino Federation

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Aside, Chris Agius MP, Parliamen-tary Secretary for Research, Innova-tion, Youth & Sport, receives a plateas memory of the Congress.Below, the assignation of 3 Hono-rary titles with the handover of a di-ploma by the FIM Europe President:Mr Ted Bartlett, as FIM Europe Ho-norary Vice-PresidentMr Gerhard Ittner, as FIM EuropeHonorary Road Racing CommissionMemberMr Günther Zaritsch, as FIM EuropeHonorary Road Racing CommissionMember

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FIM Europe President, Dr Wolfgang Srb, during his speech at the General Assembly and, above,with Alessandro Sambuco, FIM Europe Secretary General

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Aside, Silvio Manicardi,2nd Deputy President,Chairman of the FIMEurope Non-SportingCouncil, during his spe-ech. Below, Michal Sikorapresenting the 2014 Ba-lance Sheet and the2015 Budget.Below, the audience. Infist row, from the left,Rodolfo Romeo, Vito Ip-polito, FIM Presidentand Ignacio Verneda,FIM CEO

Above, the stand of My Lapsin the Grand Hotel Excelsior.Aside, FIM Europe Presidentwith the Italian delegation. Below, the staff of FIM Eu-rope, from the left SilviaD’Amico, Silvia Monatti, Ales-sandro Sambuco, SecretaryGeneral, Paola Bianchetti, Av-vocato Rodolfo Romeo, An-drea Diamantini andFiammetta La Guidara

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Above, from the left, Ignacio Verneda, Vito Ippolito, Dr Wolfgang Srb and Michel Turk. Below the photo of the group at theend of the Congress, On the opposite page, the audience

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The Gala Dinner

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From the left, Vito Ippolito, FIM Europe President, Chris Agius MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Research, Innovation ,Youth & Sport, Johann Pace, ASMK Secretary General, Dr Wolfgang Srb, FIM Europe President, Frans Deguara,ASMK President and Alessandro Sambuco, FIM Europe Secretary General

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The Enduro European Champion-ship enjoys excellent health. Whatis the secret of this success?The Enduro, let’s not forget it, is thediscipline motorcycle with the oldestrace, the Six Days, which celebrated100 years in 2013, with the Italianedition held in Sardinia. Until a fewdecades ago, the European was theWorld Championship, which laterbecame the WEC, giving way to thenew course, with a European Cham-pionship born along with UEM,today FIM Europe.Behind today's success there is tra-dition, history, commitment ofmany individuals: many small teamsand dealers, the Federations, goodorganizers, young and less young ri-

ders supported by friends and fa-mily, the promoter Mr WolfgangButzner, the atmosphere of pureand authentic sports you breathe,and, let me say it, even the interper-sonal relationships and the ability topursue the discipline on the part ofour Working Group.We have reached a high standard asfor the organization, with trails, pad-docks, logistics, image, howevercontainaing costs, and that's why foryears now, in a Championship in fourraces we always over 10 requestsevery year. Our philosophy is also togive light in the international Enduroto new European Countries, and sofar this goal has been reached. I canthink of Estonia, Latvia, and Roma-nia and, this year - really a good sur-

prise - Croatia. Besides Nations andFederations with proven expe-rience, such as Portugal, France,Italy, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Ger-many, Finland.Organizing a European champion-ship is relatively easy, less bureau-cracy, expenses (claims?) of a WorldCup. I believe that innovation, but intradition, is a bit our secret...How is it structured at the level ofclasses?We count three junior classes, threesenior, a veteran and female respec-tively. In addition there are the ove-rall class (absolute) and that of thecommercial teams. And it is provi-ded, on request of an organizer /FMN, the 50cc class (not the cham-

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Focus on: Enduro Commission Marco Bolzonello, Chairman of FIM Europe Enduro Commission,makes a point on all the specialties

Marco Bolzonello with NicolaDutto, the first paraplegic rider,who takes part to the EuropeanBajas Championship

pionship, but the cup). Important forus are the Junior classes, with parti-cular attention to the Under-20, butalso the possibility of having expe-rienced pilots with young people, Ispeak of Seniors, but also the Vete-rans, who sometimes are parents orrelatives of some Junior.The Overall is also appreciated, whichrewards the absolute champion ofthe race and of the championship.There are classes with a particularlyhigh number of par ticipants? Why?

The classes with moreriders are the Juniorones. These young ri-ders can do high level in-ternational experience,train for races of theworld championship orfor the respective natio-nal championships.Then, back on this, Ithink also for the ease ofhaving information (wehave no secrets aboutwhat the Commissiondoes, on calendars, pro-posals, etc.), simple butcomprehensive websi-tes , excellent coopera-tion with the offices ofFIM Europe, professio-nal work of the Press Of-ficer of the EuropeanEnduro Pairan. Butagain, the fact that each

member of the Commission is reallyversed in all aspects of the matter,working in their respective Federa-tions always in support to enduro.Without the concerted efforts of all,it would be difficult to go on andmaintain good race! Of course, thereis still to work on the overall enhan-cement of the discipline, but this is anaspect that also sees the World Cupin difficulty.Are there news for the champion-ship in 2016? If so, which?

As for several years, it is never easy tobaste the calendar the following year,both for the number of requests thatexceeds that of the races (and that'sgood!), but also for the dates of theWorld Cup races that are not definedot are likely to adjustments.Nevertheless, in July, in the usualmeeting in mid-season coincidingwith FIM Europe Congress, the Com-mission established the calendar for2016, which is provisional for the rea-sons cited. Latvia will return, not onlyfor the experience and the commit-ment of its organizers, but also for thegeographical significance comparedto Northern European Countries.One reason that drives us in the allo-cation of races, told of attention tonew organizers, is also the number ofriders expressed by a geographicalreality, trying to limit the long trips,which is also very difficult given thedistances among the various Euro-pean Countries.Then, after some years of absence asan organizer, the Netherlands is back,with the Final in 2015 strongly sup-ported by the local Federation KNMV.And this also considering the goodnumber of Dutch riders who have al-ways participated to the Europeanchampionship.Who are the riders who choose toparticipate to European? Mostlyyoung people or not?

pionship, but the cup). Important for

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It's a broad spectrum: we go fromyoung riders, perhaps helped by theirfathers, to those with the strongestteam or dealers behind, to senior andveteran riders supported by themsel-ves, with family in tow.Of course, numbers in hand, the Ju-nior are the most represented. Andthis is so encouraging, because manyof these are now in the top standingsin some category of the World En-duro.Some Federations "use" the Euro-pean Championship also to selecttheir best elements for the nationalteam which will take part to the SixDaysWe also have to say that many Fede-

rations follow riders and teams parti-cipating to the European Champion-ship, not just at the last round (thefinal), which is also valid for Nationaland Motoclub Trophies.What is the technical level?The races today have achieved an ex-cellent professional organization.Paths, logistics in paddock, specialstages, timing and ranking centersand web presence testify the routetaken. To this we add the image andthe help given by the promoter Butz-ner.What about the participation of pu-blic?The Enduro is a difficult discipline tounderstand, it does not take place in

heats in comfortable facili-ties (see motocross or spe-edway), and is more forconnoisseurs and enthu-siasts. Nevertheless, thanksto the work of advertisingthat each organizer makeson site, the population ofthe centers where theevent is held is involved.The simple opening cere-mony is important, withthe presentation of ridersper Country, the presenceof local authorities (this isan important relationship,because the Enduro is

complicated to manage, also for thelarge number of permits for the useof territory). We had the presence, al-most always, of the mayors of townsand cities where the race was held,but also high-level representatives(ministers or, in Croatia, representa-tive of the President of the Republic).Is there a European Country whereenduro is particularly prevalent?The enduro is strongly present inmany European Countries, both inthe Mediterranean, Central and Nor-thern Europe, with very different tra-ditions, factories, industries, eventsbut that make this discipline popular.Who are the riders who left the En-

It's a broad spectrum: we go from rations follow riders and teams parti-

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duro European Championship andthen have been successful in theworld series?Talking of 2015, two young Britonscoming from European, are fightingto win the Junior class in the WorldChampionship. Same thing in theWorld Youth. In the upper classes ofthe World Championship some toplevel riders maybe come from moto-cross, but many of them arrived fromthe European Series, and some evenpassed in the meantime to other di-sciplines, such as the African rallies.When was the Enduro EuropeanChampionship born?Until 1997 the European Champion-ship was the current World Cham-pionship. The European, as we knowit today, was born in 1998.A recent discipline is the Enduro Ex-treme Cup: why was it created andwith what results?That of extreme enduro races is avery different reality from enduro tra-ditional races, with races easier tomanage, generally short courses, butwith weather conditions and loca-tions that make it difficult to com-plete a race. We tried to "build" asimple regulation, safeguarding thecharacteristics of the existing ex-treme enduro races, of which everyorganizer is "jealous": it is useless togive new rules, we would have recei-ved the answer: No thanks, we'll doas we've always done". At theseevents, then, there are often major

awards, which also attract world-re-nowned specialists. Certainly it is noteasy to put together races with diffe-rent rules, but we are trying, and Ithink that it can be a useful option forall future enduro, too".Let's talk about the Bajas champion-ship.It's a beautiful championship, a disci-pline full of charm, where riders ofmotorcycles, quads and UTV arecompeting with cars and sometimestrucks ready for adventures such asthe Paris-Dakar.But there is a but: despite the sup-port of Pagusmedia, and excellent or-ganizational level, the costs areextremely penalizing for the riders.For next year, we lowered the limit ofthe entry fee for one race, hoping justto draw more riders. This perhaps di-spleasing, we realize it, the organi-zers ...After all, it is not easy to organizecompetitions of hundreds and hun-dreds of kilometers, with importantlimitations as regards the safety,which is always one of the goals of allour reasoning.Tout Terrain and Cross Country: thisyear there were no races. Why? Isreintegration foreseen for the nextyear?We tried a few years ago with theCross Country Cup, but the target ofthe riders is amateurs who cannot af-ford, or do not want to engage inchallenging trips. Moreover it deals

with easy races, with tracks of limitedlength, also open to non-endurobikes, lasting some hours, with majorchampionships in certain Countries(see Poland, Slovakia, Germany, justto name a few).As for Tout Terrain: we tried, espe-cially with the help of Italy, the Coun-try where Rally is very felt, but with afew other important events organi-zed under the aegis of a Federation.Of course there are rallys in someCountries of the Balkans, but they arenot Federal and therefore we cannottake them into account. However, itshould be noted the great work ofthe organizers of the Serres Rally,which has grown a lot and now is areal reference, like the Romanian rallyin the past.We are always willing to consider re-quests, proposals and suggestionsaimed at developing a discipline.Thanks to the Finnish Federation forsome years we’ve also having Snow-Enduro and Snowmobile enduro cup:with excellent results in terms of at-tendance and organizational quality.This is an enduro race, with specialstages and time controls that takesplace in the middle of winter withsnowmobiles. It is a discipline cer-tainly limited to a few Countries inNorth, but we hope that Russian ri-ders will take to part to it.

Fiammetta La Guidara

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During the round of Mo-toGP in Assen, FIM Eu-rope President DrWolfgang Srb and FIM Eu-rope 1st Deputy Mr Mar-tin de Graaff met with MrVito Ippolito, FIM Presi-dent, Mr Ignacio Verneda,FIM CEO and Mr CarmeloEzpeleta, Dorna CEO, todiscuss about EuropeanRoad Racing activities.

Road Racing Road Racing ActivitiesActivities

FIM Europe President Dr Wolfgang Srb inPrague, during the World SpeedwayChampionship, with the winner of the2015 Speedway GP of Czech Republic,the English rider Tai Woffinden. At thesides of the photo, Michel Turk and JanStovicek.

FIM Europe FIM Europe at the World Speedwayat the World SpeedwayChampionshipChampionship

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FIM Europe MAG 4 2015