Vito Ippolito FIM President “It is with great delight and no less pride that I welcome you to this fourth edition of the FIM Gala Ceremony and the second edition to be held in this wonderful venue that holds such a rich racing history. With another memorable season of motorcycle sport successfully completed, we are again gathered here together to celebrate and applaud our new and returning champions.
The FIM Motocross of Nations, the FIM Trial des Nations and the FIM International Six Days Enduro – the Six Days Enduro is the oldest event in the FIM calendar and celebrated its centennial earlier this year – all represent the ethos and spirit of our sport and the contributions of our many national federations in upholding the tradition of these wonderful team competitions.
After the many hours, days, weeks and months and sometimes years of training, preparation and sheer hard work that have gone into making an FIM World Champion, the moment has come at last when all those efforts are recognised by the presentation of the gold medal. The FIM Gala Ceremony is the perfect stage on which to recognise and to reward our champions in front of the hundreds of two-wheel guests who join us in person here this evening and our global TV audience that shares this special occasion with us.
Finally I would like to acknowledge the work and commitment not only of our champions and our riders, but also of all the teams, federations, clubs, organisers, sponsors, supporters and the many volunteers that make our sport possible throughout each season. Without you all there would be no racing, none of the entertainment and no FIM World Champions, those special individuals who are each adored by their many fans around the World and paint a smile on so many faces each weekend thanks to their combination of skill and bravery.
Like our many different motorcycling disciplines, the FIM Gala Ceremony itself is also an evolving process. This year alongside our individual winners we welcome the champions of our team titles for the first time.
I would like to thank you for being here and being part of this special occasion, when together we can enjoy our shared and never-ending passion for motorcycling.” © Good-Shoot 5