FIM Europe Magazine #01|2022 by FIM Europe

FIM EUROPE MAGAZINE

#01 | 22

January • February • March

CONTENTS

FIM EUROPE MAGAZINE Chief Editor: Dalila Agrati Photo Credit: Dario Agrati, Dorna, Infront, Jarek Pabijan, Robert Pairan, Tomi Tähti FIM EUROPE Viale delle Arti, 181 00054 Fiumicino (Italy) fimeuropepress@gmail.com FIM EUROPE PRESS OFFICE Dalila Agrati dalila.agrati@fim-europe.com

The articles pusblished in this magazine do not necessarily reflect the official position of FIM Europe. The content of this pubblication is based on the best knowledge and information available at the time the articles were written. The copying of articles and photos even partially is forbidden unless permission has been requested from FIM Europe in advance and reference is made to the source (©FIM Europe).

#01 4 |

Point of view - Martin de Graaff

6 |

Editorial - Dalila Agrati

8 |

FIM Europe Non Sporting Commission Meetings

14 |

FIM Europe Club Lapland Experience 2022

16 |

AAMU General Assembly and BMU Meeting

17 |

FIM Europe 2022 Yearbook

18 |

EMX 125

19 |

EMX Open

20 |

EMX 250

22 |

Ice Speedway

24 |

Yamaha's activities

26 |

Maxim is the new Promoter of the Enduro European Championship

28 |

Enduro European Championship

30 |

Superenduro Cup

32 |

Drag Racing

34 |

ETC & Moto2 European Championship

36 |

Focus on > Motor Insurance Directive

38 |

Focus on > Environment Commission activities

- 8

NON SPORTING COMMISSIONS MEETINGS

- 18

NEW 2022 SPORTING SEASON

- 36

FOCUS ON... FIM EUROPE MAGAZINE

104 4

POINT OF VIEW

MARTIN DE GRAAFF

FIM Europe President

The year 2021 was again difficult with many restrictions on all our activities. At the end FIM Europe can, in spite of all limitations, look back to a rather successful season concerning the numbers of events. Many competitions could be completed. The accent was on the second part of the season because of many postponed races. We are grateful to all our promoters, organisers and federations to make this possible. The Sporting Commissions could meet in October and November, the Non-Sporting Commissions will be together in Fiumicino in January. The last two years it was impossible to organize the annual FIM Europe Congress. In conjunction with the FIM we had the change to keep a General Assembly in order to inform our affiliated Federations and to take the necessary decisions, in January from a studio in Geneva, while recently we could be present

at the FIM Family meetings in Monaco. During these meetings the Treasurer and External Auditors gave the right information to all present and connected Federations, the attendance was good. During the second part of the Assembly the new Statutes were approved, the last version from 2012 had to be more in line with the FIM Statutes and the current developments. Hopefully the FIM Europe congress in Bucharest can take place in July, like usual including the Commission meetings. We have noticed that meetings face to face are important, our volunteers missed after many zoom-meetings the real social contacts. they all worked successful on our common interest: motorcycling and motorsport. This month the Motorsport World said goodbye to two legends, Valentino Rossi and Toni Cairoli, multiple Wor-

ld Championships with an enormous number of fans. The next generation will take over, we see in our European Championships many talented riders with one goal, to be successful in the World Champion after several years. The development in Motorcycling is hopeful for the future, it is more popular than ever. We have to stimulate the use and create possibilities in a safe way. At the end of 2021 I would like to thank all our volunteers, also in the federations, our partners and promoters. The staff in Fiumicino did a great job in this period. Thank you all and try to stay healthy!

FIM EUROPE MAGAZINE

EDITORIAL DALILA AGRATI FIM Europe Press Officer

The Covid-19 pandemic emergency is not over yet, but a new issue is already unsettling the European and world scene. This time, the winds of war coming from the Russian-Ukrainian conflict are frightening us. A situation to which both FIM Europe and FIM could not remain indifferent and to which they responded firmly. The FIM Board of Directors, held in an extraordinary meeting joined by FIM Europe President too, has unanimously condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine, with some urgent and protective decisions. First of all, to cancel any activities in Russia, Bielorussia and Ukraine. Therefore, to suspend, for the Motorcycle Federation of Russia (MFR) and the Belarusian Federation of Motorcycle Sport (BFMS), the

issuance of FIM Europe licences and the ones already distributed, the functions of persons as Officials and as Commissions members. As a result, no Russian and Belarusian riders, teams and officials can take part in any events and activities. I’m sure that the values of sport, which unite athletes, peoples, nations and men, will help us to overcome this sad moment of disease. In the meantime, our Magazine has been renewed: a new, more modern and attractive graphic design, with the aim of always giving visibility and attention to every discipline and topic. Our commitment is always for you: we look forward with positivity to tell new and beautiful stories. The curtain of the new season is now ready to be raised!

FIM EUROPE MAGAZINE

INSTITUTIONAL NEWS

FIM EUROPE NON-SPORTING COMMISSIONS MEETINGS

FIM Europe Non-Sporting Commissions meetings took place face-to-face at the FIM Europe headquarters in Fiumicino (Rome) and via videoconference yesterday, Saturday 22nd January 2022. Besides the commission’s members, the meetings were also attended by the FIM Europe President Mr. Martin de Graaff and the 2nd Deputy President Mr. Silvio Manicardi. Also

present the Secretary General Mr Alessandro Sambuco together with Silvia Monatti and Andrea Diamantini, responsible for non-sporting matters in the office. At the end of the meetings the chairmen came together to point out the outcome of the meetings to the President of the Non-Sporting Council, Mr Silvio Manicardi.

MARTIN DE GRAAFF FIM Europe President

“As responsible of the Non-Sporting Commission I am very satisfied by the work done in the actual difficult circumstances. In particular the work in Brussels has never stopped and we could have success in a couple of potentially dangerous decision both for our sport and mobility. The total revision of the online environmental check list and the off-line and on-line promotional kit that will be ready soon are good achievements. The decision to confirm the Tour Assistant Training in the second part of the year in Barcelona and the study to have an additional location in Northern Europe gives continuity to a successful activity of the commission. We hope to see each other in person at the next congress in Bucharest to be able to restart also the personal relationship that are so important for our work”.

“The meetings of the Non-Sporting Commissions and of the Non-Sporting Council could not take place in presence in Fiumicino, as we organized the Sporting meetings in October and November, because of the limited travel possibilities caused by the pandemic. Therefore, they have been organized by Zoom videoconference. In the morning of the 22nd January, the Deputy-President Silvio Manicardi and me followed all Commissions while, in the afternoon session, the Commission Chairmen were connected again for the Beyond-Sporting Council. In all Commissions we noticed limited activities on certain tasks because of Covid, but however with a positive view on the future, with several plans and ideas presented by all of them. For the new mandate, after the Congress in Bucharest, we have to reconsider the duties of these Commissions and the cooperation with the relative FIM Commissions. In fact, a lot of items are important not only for motorcyclists in Europe, but worldwide. In Europe, we face special problems in the different Countries caused by the sound level and other legal problems. The Commissions are aware of their tasks and try to work for motorcyclists in the daily traffic and for the motor tourists. Hopefully, we can come together in presence at the next FIM Europe Congress in July. We are grateful to all volunteers of these Commissions for what they achieved for the European motorcyclists”.

SILVIO MANICARDI FIM Europe 2nd Deputy President

FIM EUROPE MAGAZINE

INSTITUTIONAL NEWS

MR. ADAMO LEONZIO Chairman Environment Commission

“Despite the pandemic that has stopped all the commission's on-site activities, I can only be satisfied with the work done by the commission in the search and preparation of the documents to be used in the activity and above all in the preparation of a strategic plan for the next four years in the hope that this limiting situation will end soon”.

ENVIRONMENT COMMISSION During the meeting, the Commission examined various aspects of the activity of the last semester but above all it did a preparatory work not only for the time that separates us from the next congress, but above all by continuing to prepare a strategic plan for the next four-year period 2022- 2026.

MR. NILS FREIVALDS Chairman Touring Commission

“It was a great pleasure to meet and share views with the Commission members at least via Zoom platform. Members shared their concerns about the pandemic that has greatly impacted the hospitality sector, including motorcycle tourism. There are some very positive examples, for instance Finland, where there is a high and overwhelmingly busy snowmobiling and winter season attracting over 200 thousand visitors to the Northern region in Finland just in December. The annual FIM Europe Congress planning is in progress and we are all looking forward to having our next meeting in physical presence in Bucharest, Romania”.

TOURING COMMISSION The Touring Commission had a committed and professional discussion albeit held virtually. All the members are optimistic for the upcoming season: calendars are fully scheduled and most of the FMN organizers are looking forward to a normalized touring season. The Commission and the Non-Sporting Council agreed to work on and plan the 3rd Tour Assistant Training in Barcelona, Spain, that would eventually be held in September or October after the high touring season is over.

FIM EUROPE MAGAZINE

INSTITUTIONAL NEWS

PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMISSION MR. DIMITRIS MARGARITIS Chairman Public Affairs Commission

The Commission made a sum up of the activities of the last year, with special focus on the last semester. Topics such as the EC Urban Mobility Plan, the Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Directive, the ACEM conference and the new Driving License Directive have been discussed during the 2.5hours meeting. One of the discussion items was again the Road Safety and Mobility Conference. It was decided to postpone the Conference for a year, due to still some uncertainty for a physical or not meeting in 2022, with a quite interesting topic to be considered in 2023 FIM Europe Congress.

“Once again, it was a very interesting discussion for several items that are of interest for motorcycling in Europe and beyond. Some of them are on hold because of COVID, however taking into account the positive messages of the pandemic, many things will progress in parallel and we have to be prepared for the appropriate lobbying actions with the EC and the local authorities. The hard work for the OECD ITF Motorcyclists Safety Workshop comes to an end. The report has been issued by the Swedish VTI and is currently waiting for the final approval by ITF OECD. The exemption of race vehicles from the Motor Vehicle Insurance Directive is a great success that we really should be proud of. FIM and FIM Europe had a major contribution to this result. Now, it is up to our FMNs to lobby with their national governments in order to include the new rule in their national law by 23/12/2023".

MARKETING, PROMOTION AND INDUSTRY COMMISSION MR. BLAGOJA PETROVSKI

Chairman Marketing, Promotion and Industry Commission

The Commission faced new promoting ideas such as the Web TV, Podcast and Instagram live streaming. The main topic was the “Event Promotion Tool Kit”, that is in the end phase of preparation and will be distributed to all FMNs. This booklet is a guidance of how event organizers should promote events.

“The Commission had a productive meeting, working on some current project as the “Event Promotion Tool Kit”. New ideas came out for the future as Web TV, Podcast and Instagram live streaming as interesting new approaches to promote future FIM Europe”.

FIM EUROPE MAGAZINE

FIM EUROPE CLUB

FIM EUROPE CLUB LAPLAND EXPERIENCE 2022 IN ROVANIEMI, FINLAND The FIM Europe Club Lapland Experience 2022 took place in Rovaniemi, Finland, from 15th to 19th March, organized in collaboration with the SML Suomen Moottoriliitto.

The two-year suspension due to the COVID pandemic has made this resume edition a special event even if what is happening in Ukraine has made it difficult to face these days with the necessary good humour. However, the event was a success in terms of participation and as the development of an articulated and exciting program. The more than twenty participants were able to enjoy the breath-taking views and magical atmospheres evoked by the snow that accompanied the last day of the excursion. Surely the place of honour as an experience out of the ordinary is assigned to riding a snowmobile, an unusual vehicle for the majority of participants, many of them in their first riding experience. This means, after a necessary moment of addiction, offers the possibility of completely immersing oneself in an environment that is difficult if not impossible for other vehicles. Coordinating the guides of the SGAF Snowmobile

Guide Association Finland was Jukka Lainkari, FIM Europe Touring Commission member and SGAF President and Main Instructor. Having professional and expert guides available to the group, able to guarantee navigation assistance, group management, first aid and assistance for any inconvenience that may occur to snowmobiles is the only solution to fully and safely enjoy excursions in a fascinating but difficult environment. The accommodation in a comfortable and well-organized Tourist Village just a few minutes from Rovaniemi Airport, the Santa Claus Holiday Village, made relaxing moments at the end of the excursions unique, also thanks to the Finnish saunas that the rooms were equipped with. The hospitality of the SML was represented by the much appreciated and active participation of President Erkki Heikkinen and Secretary General Ville Salonen. Also present, among others, the former Presidents Juhani Halme and Tapio Nevala.

ERKKI HEIKKINEN SML PRESIDENT “The past week has offered a special possibility to raise awareness of snowmobiling to our FIM Europe motorsport and especially non-sport family around the European FMNs. We see these events as an important way to connect with colleagues that share the passion for motorcycling and snowmobiling. It was an honour for Finland to host the FIM Europe Club Lapland Experience 2022 and we hope to build it into a yearly tradition with the FIM Europe and Snowmobile Guide Association of Finland. On the behalf of the Finnish Motorcycling Federation SML, I want to present my thanks to the FIM Europe and to everyone who took part in the event in Rovaniemi!”.

VILLE SALONEN SML SECRETARY GENERAL

ALESSANDRO SAMBUCO FIM EUROPE SECRETARY GENERAL “The past week has offered a special possibility to raise awareness of snowmobiling to our FIM Europe motorsport and especially non-sport family around the European FMNs. We see these events as an important way to connect with colleagues that share the passion for motorcycling and snowmobiling. It was an honour for Finland to host the FIM Europe Club Lapland Experience 2022 and we hope to build it into a yearly tradition with the FIM Europe and Snowmobile Guide Association of Finland. On the behalf of the Finnish Motorcycling Federation SML, I want to present my thanks to the FIM Europe and to everyone who took part in the event in Rovaniemi!”.

“The FIM Europe Club Lapland Experience 2022 was finally organized after two years of cancellations caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. For an FIM Europe member Country like Finland, located in the far north, we had a great opportunity to connect with representatives of the Nordic countries and our European colleges. Through the event we aim to give a best possible opportunity to safely promote the awareness around snowmobiling as a great way to enjoy riding and the beautiful nature of the North. Also promote snowmobiling as an important part of the motorsports and nonsport community. I want to thank the FIM Europe and all the participants for making this possible and also big thank you to the Snowmobile Guide Association for making it all possible!”.

FIM EUROPE MAGAZINE

INSTITUTIONAL NEWS

AAMU GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND BMU MEETING On 29th January two Regional Associations of FIM Europe organised their General Assembly. The President Martin de Graaff and the Secretary General Alessandro Sambuco attended the AAMU - Alpe Adria Motorcycle Union General Assembly in Perugia (ITA). At the AAMU GA 9 Federations joined the meeting in presence or by Zoom. It is good to notice that in 2022 the competition will consist of 5 Championships, Circuit Racing is the most important discipline, besides this Motocross and Extreme Enduro are starting competitions in the coming year. All management reports and the budget were approved.

The host Federation FMI was represented by the President Giovanni Copioli. In the break of this meeting the FIM Europe and Alpe Adria Presidents were connected by zoom to the meeting of the BMU – Balkan Motorcycle Union in Bucharest. In this meeting 7 Federations were present. The GA elected as new BMU President Ioan Cristian Muresan (FMR). The BMU prepared new Statutes to be approved by the GA. In March another Regional Association MACEC - Motorcycle Association of Central European Countries will meet.

INSTITUTIONAL NEWS

THE FIM EUROPE 2022 YEARBOOK IS AVAILABLE NOW AVAILABLE

The FIM Europe is glad to inform that the 2022 FIM Europe Yearbook is now available! It can be downloaded for free from the FIM Europe official website. In the table of contents, the welcome from the FIM Europe President Mr Martin de Graaff and the FIM Europe Secretary General Alessandro Sambuco, the story, the organization and the structure of the FIM Europe, as well as info about International and National Organizations, Federations and Regional Associations. There are also the 2021 sporting results, the roll of honour of the European Championships and Cups and a preview on the 2022 sporting year.

FIM EUROPE MAGAZINE

MOTOCROSS & SNOWCROSS > EMX 125

VALK TO TOP THE EMX 125 PODIUM IN GREAT BRITAIN #01 ROUND

26TH - 27TH FEBRUARY

MATTERLEY BASIN, GREAT BRITAIN

The opening round of the EMX125 Presented by FMF Racing has concluded with overall victories from Fantic Factory Team Maddii’s Cas Valk. The European Championship riders were treated to two days of perfect conditions which made for some great racing that featured plenty of excitement and close battles. Valk was the overall winner, with Fueri joining him on the podium on the second step and J. Reisulis making his first ever podium appearance in EMX125.

“Perfect weekend, not the best starts but the riding was super good".

Cas Valk 18

MOTOCROSS & SNOWCROSS > EMX OPEN

SANDNER TAKES THE OVERALL VICTORY IN THE EMX OPEN #01 ROUND

26TH - 27TH FEBRUARY

MATTERLEY BASIN, GREAT BRITAIN

During the first EMX Open race, it was Jose Butron who took the holeshot and won the race ahead of Ivanov and Sandner. Meuwissen finished fourth ahead of De Bortoli and Thornhill. In race two Ivanov who took the holeshot ahead of Sandner and Knight. Race one winner, Butron, started outside the top 15. At the end a third and a win gave Sandner his first ever overall victory in the EMX Open category, as Butron took to the second step of the podium and Ivanov celebrated in third.

Michael Sandner “Saturday I was struggling a little bit but Sunday was really good”. FIM EUROPE MAGAZINE

MOTOCROSS & SNOWCROSS > EMX 250

ELZINGA SECURES THE OVERALL WIN AT THE ROUND OF LOMBARDIA #01 ROUND

The EMX250 riders have completed the opening round of the series in Lombardia, with Hutten Metaal Yamaha Racing’s Rick Elzinga victorious. The Dutchman leaves Italy with the red plate, ahead of Fantic Factory Team Maddii duo of Cornelius Toendel and Haakon Osterhagen.

"Happy to be back on Yamaha and on the podium”.

Rick Elzinga

05TH - 06TH MARCH

MANTOVA, ITALY

FIM EUROPE MAGAZINE

TRACK RACING > ICE SPEEDWAY

DMITRII SOLIANNIKOV RULES IN POLAND #01 ROUND

19TH -20TH FEBRUARY

SANOK, POLAND

The European Individual Ice Speedway Championship went back to Sanok, Poland, for the first of the two rounds in calendar. A warm audience of 2.500 of spectators welcomed teams and riders having the occasion to watch a hard-fought meeting. Great performance for two Russian riders: Dmitrii Soliannikov and Vladimir Fadeev fought for the victory until the end, where Soliannikov wins with 18 points. Behind them, great battle for the podium between Harald Simon, Luca Bauer, Jasper Iwema and Lukas Hutla. The Austrian Simon had the best conquering the third position.

TRACK RACING > ICE SPEEDWAY

HARALD SIMON IS THE NEW CHAMPION #02 ROUND

19TH MARCH

TOMASZÓW MAZOWIECKI, POLAND

Harald Simon became the Individual European Ice Speedway Champion. The Austrian added another 16 points to the 12 points scored in Sanok, on the track in Tomaszów Mazowiecki. 28 points was enough for gold. The silver medal for Luca Bauer, representing Italy, and the bronze was won by the Swede Jimmy Olsen, who was the best during the Saturday’s competition in Arena Lodowa.

Harald Simon With a third and a second position he takes the title. FIM EUROPE MAGAZINE

SPECIAL CONTENT > YAMAHA'S ACTIVITIES

YAMAHA ALL SET TO DEFEND WORLDSBK TRIPLE CROWN AFTER ENCOURAGING BARCELONA TEST Yamaha heads into the 2022 season looking to defend the FIM Superbike World Championship ‘Triple Crown’, having won the riders’, manufacturers’ and teams’ titles last year, and has been working hard to ensure it remains at the sharp end of the highly competitive WorldSBK field. The recent Barcelona test (25-26 March) gave Yamaha, as well as the teams and riders, some encouragement, having topped the timings overall with Toprak Razgatlıoğlu.

At the GYTR GRT Yamaha squad, Garrett Gerloff and Kohta Nozane will once again partner up, hoping to continue taking the team forwards. Gerloff endured a difficult second season in WorldSBK, but still came away seventh in the standings and finished as the Top Independent Rider, while GYTR GRT Yamaha was named as the Best Independent Team. The American has continued to show he’s one of the fastest in the championship and is aiming to turn that impressive speed into race wins in 2022. His

The roller coaster 2021 campaign will go down in history as one of the most exciting, unpredictable and memorable seasons of all time, as Pata Yamaha with Brixx WorldBSK’s Razgatlıoğlu took on six-time WorldSBK champion Jonathan Rea. Though there were many ups and downs, the Turkish rider would eventually get the job done at an intense season finale in Indonesia. This incredible achievement was not only down to Razgatlıoğlu’s sensational on-track heroics, but also the hard work and dedication by the Yamaha engineers and technicians, as well as the entire Pata Yamaha with Brixx WorldBSK crew. For 2022, the drive to continue raising the bar has ensured that Yamaha heads into the new season with every opportunity of repeating last year’s successes. Both the Pata Yamaha with Brixx WorldSBK and GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team’s line-ups will remain unchanged this season. Razgatlıoğlu will once again have Andrea Locatelli alongside at the Crescent Racing-run team; the Italian heading into his second WorldSBK season after a stunning maiden campaign. Locatelli ended the championship fourth in the standings, earning him the Rookie of the Year title, and is targeting regular podium visits and a first victory.

teammate Nozane improved throughout his maiden campaign, with his standout performance coming in the final wet Indonesian race. Alongside these two, the GIL Motorsport Yamaha team will also be fielding a Yamaha R1 for the returning Christophe Ponsson, who enjoyed his best season to date in 2021, while Motoxracing Yamaha will run Isaac Viñales. The Pata Yamaha with Brixx WorldSBK team got its 2022 pre-season preparation underway at the beginning of February, testing at the Algarve International Circuit in Portimão.

This acted as a good opportunity to run the updated electronics for the first time, while both riders were able to reacquaint themselves with the Yamaha R1 WorldSBKs. After a test in Aragón, where the team and Yamaha continued to work on developing the 2022 package, Barcelona acted as the first real opportunity to see how they stacked up against the other manufacturers, teams and riders. Running their new livery, which was launched on 24 March, further work was done on fine tuning the electronics, while other parts, such as the updated Akrapovic exhaust, were also successfully trialled for the first time. This penultimate test was a positive one for the team, with both Razgatlıoğlu and Locatelli combining for 250 laps of the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, running in both wet and dry conditions. Although they were unable to maximise their pace on the opening day with the reigning world champion, Razgatlıoğlu went fastest of all on the second morning, with the running in the rain proving vital as Yamaha was able to test the electronic package in the wet. For Locatelli, he showed strong pace in the morning of the opening day, before two falls in the afternoon hampered his running. Still, the 25-year-old was pleased with the work done, improving his wet weather riding – an area he struggled with somewhat in 2021 due to the lack of experience in these conditions on the R1. In the other garage, the GYTR GRT Yamaha team began their pre-season running in Aragón, where they were able to find a good base set-up for both Gerloff and Nozane. The Italian squad then headed to Misano for a second test, where Gerloff showed good pace to go second overall. On the opening day, Gerloff once again showed the blistering pace of the Yamaha R1, going fastest in the morning and eventually finishing up in third as he and the team focused on longer runs. The Texan managed a mammoth 147 laps across the two days, including some significant running in the wet, where he praised the new electronics package. Nozane ran an error-free test, and completed more laps than any of the other Yamaha riders in the wet, gaining good experience in conditions he has thrived in, despite having limited experience.

In Barcelona, the GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team unveiled their striking new 2022 blue and white livery, while announcing Genuine Yamaha Racing Technologies (GYTR) as a title partner for the upcoming season.

Overall, the four riders, both teams and Yamaha were pleased with the electronic and mechanical upgrades brought in during the winter. Alongside this, running in all conditions has left them well-prepared for any challenge they may face during the 2022 WorldSBK season. One more test awaits the Yamaha crews, with the Official WorldSBK Test in Aragón on 4-5 April. The MotorLand venue will also play host to the opening round of the season less than a week later (8-10 April). With all teams expected to run at this test, it will provide the best chance yet to see how the developments made have improved the Yamaha R1’s performance comparatively, particularly at a track that hasn’t often played to the bike’s strengths in recent years.

FIM EUROPE MAGAZINE

ENDURO & RALLY

MAXIM IS THE NEW PROMOTER OF THE ENDURO EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP FOR SEASON 2022-2023-2024

FIM Europe and Maxim are pleased to announce the new agreement for the promotion of the Enduro European Championship for the seasons 2022-2023-2024.

siderably, becoming in recent years a reference point for riders, teams, bike manufacturers and fans. In fact, many riders of the EnduroGP regularly took part to the Italian rounds.

The company led by Tony and Monica Mori, based in Falzè di Piave (Treviso-Italy), will enhance and develop the championship starting from this new season with four rounds: the opening stage in Italy (Pietramontecorvino) on 19-20 March, round two in Hungary (Tamasi) on 2-3 April, round three on 13-14 August in Finland (Sipoo) and the final stage in Germany on 28-29-30 October.

Year after year, Maxim has introduced several news, both in terms of structures and materials, and in communication too, increasing investments in the website and social media. Maxim is ready to bring its national experience to the European field, preparing the young enduro riders for the step to the World Championship. That’s the path embarked by many talents and World Champions as Brad Freeman, Steve Holcombe and Andrea Verona. Already in the past Maxim has been promoter of the Enduro European Championship and Snowmobiling for almost a decade.

Maxim is a company founded in 2010 to support Axiver in the management of the Enduro Italian Championship, whose promoter was Tony Mori for 22 seasons, from 2000 to 2021. In these two decades the Italian Championship has grown con-

Martin de Graaff, FIM Europe President

Tony Mori, Maxim

“A few weeks ago, we have signed the contract at the FIM Europe office in Fiumicino with Maxim, the new promoter of the European Championship Enduro. Tony Mori showed us the plans for the coming and next seasons. This contract for the first three years is important for the growth and improvement. On the 2022 calendar there are four events in different regions of Europe: we expect a very positive influence for riders and organizers, to make use the ideas of this very experienced promoter”.

"We are very enthusiastic about this new adventure. We are ready to bring our experience in the European Championship after 22 years of great satisfaction with the promotion of the Enduro Italian Championship. Thank you to FIM Europe for trusting us: we are already working to define all the facilities and services available to each organizer and riders. We have many projects for the growth of the championship, which we believe is an important step for the growth of the next world champions".

FIM EUROPE MAGAZINE

ENDURO & RALLY > SUPERENDURO CUP

SECOND ROUND IN HUNGARY #02 ROUND

First race of the year for the FIM Europe with the second round of the Superenduro European Championship, held in Papp László Budapest Sportaréna, Hungary. As in the opening round raced in December in Poland, Sonny Goggia ruled the competition winning both race-1 and race-2 with neat and preci-

Sonny Goggia rules the race 28

05TH FEBRUARY

BUDAPEST, HUNGARY

se style. At the beginning of the season the Italian rider made the decision to join the European Championship again after narrowly missing out the crown in 2019/2020 season and is on the way for the title. With him on the podium the French Aurélien Addesso (Sherco) and Hungarian Roland Liszka (KTM).

ENDURO & RALLY > SUPERENDURO CUP

THIRD ROUND IN GERMANY #03 ROUND

19TH - 20TH MARCH

RIESA, GERMANY

Season finale for the Superenduro European Championship: the SachsenArena in Riesa, Germany, hosted the last two races of the 2021/2022. Sonny Goggia (KTM) only needed one race victory to bring home the cup. The Italian, whose smooth and relaxed riding style saw him sail through every race this season, left no chance for the Polish Oskar Kaczmarcyk (Gas Gas) who finished second and Aurélien Addesso (Sherco) 3rd. In the final classification of the European Cup, Goggia therefore finished victorious ahead of Addesso Kaczmarcyk.

Sonny Goggia sails to European Cup victory

FIM EUROPE MAGAZINE

ENDURO & RALLY > ENDURO EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP 30

THE SEASON KICKS OFF IN ITALY #01 ROUND

19TH - 20TH MARCH

Belgian junior Erik Willems took the overall victory of the first day of riding at the opening round of the Borilli European Enduro Championship. Italian Enrico Rinaldi had been leading until the end, but the reigning European Junior Champion admitted that he was not fast enough in the cross

Erik Willems took the overall victory

PIETRAMONTECORVINO, ITALY

test. His adversaries, the Belgian Erik Willems and the Briton Dan Mundell, saw it the other way round. Italian Enrico Rinaldi had been leading until the end, but the reigning European Junior Champion admitted that he was not fast enough in the cross test.

Maurizio Micheluz won the new Enduro 2 class

On the second day victory was again decided on the very last special stage. After a heavy crash right in the first enduro test, local hero Enrico Rinaldi lost almost half a minute and at the end he had to settle with the third final position. Previous day’s winner Erik Willems took the lead, but in the last Enduro test Dan Mundell took the lead with half a second. This made the fight exciting, but as on the previous day, Willems again played out his motocross skills, winning the last cross test by less than two seconds ahead of Mundell. Now he leads both the Overall standings and the E2 class by a clear margin and goes to the second round in Hungary as leader. The Italian Maurizio Micheluz won the new Enduro 2 class and is perhaps heading for his fourteenth championship title. In the women's category, Nieve Holmes won by a clear margin on both days: the British rider went back to Sherco. Behind her the French Marine Lemoine. Italian Luca Piersigilli won the 24MX 50cc Trophy with Beta and was crowned new champion.

Luca Piersigilli crowned Champion of the new 24MX 50cc Trophy

FIM EUROPE MAGAZINE

DRAG RACING

2022 DRAG BIKE EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP This year sees the return of Drag Racing competitions after a 2-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The Championship is now being promoted by a newly formed company DRE (Drag Racing Europe AB), based in near Stockholm (Sweden). DRE holds the promotional and commercial rights to the Drag Bike European Championship. DRE is formed of owners and promoters of the tracks which have in the past run the FIA & FIM Europe Drag Racing Championships.

DRE Chairman Keith Bartlett "We have been looking to put this together for the past 2 years and are now delighted that we have completed this new structure for organising and running of the FIM European Drag Bike Championship. Over the next 2-3 years we aim to take the Championship to the next level of its development. The formation of this new company and board, to run the Championship was the crucial first stage. It is going to take time to develop the Championship, but in 2022 we have 5/6 rounds across 4 separate European Countries". The classes involved in the Drag Bike European Championship (Top Fuel Bike, Super Twin Bike, Pro Stock Bike and Super Street Bike) now have one major Championship to compete in. With riders and teams from all over Europe the Championship looks to be becoming a true FIM European Championship. One of the great advantages in 2022 is that we will go back to seeing the Championship being campaigned alongside the FIA European Championship. This becomes beneficial to not only both Championships but the paying spectators too.

2022 CALENDAR Date

Round

Country

26/29 May 9/12 June 30 June - 3 July 11/13 August 25/28 August 8/11 September

Round 1 Round 2 Round 3 Round 4 Round 5 Round 6

Santa Pod (England) Tierp Arena (Sweden) (TBC) Kauhava (Finland) Tierp Arena (Sweden) Hockenheim (Germany) Santa Pod (England)

FIM EUROPE MAGAZINE

ROAD RACING > ETC & MOTO2 EUROEPAN CHAMPIONSHIP

A NEW ERA BEGINS WITH THE FIM JUNIORGP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP A new chapter begins for the biggest and most successful path on the Road to MotoGP™ in 2022. The FIM Moto3™ Junior World Championship becomes the FIM JuniorGP™ World Championship, recognizing its status and position as a globally vital proving ground for young riders. The Hawkers European Talent Cup and the Moto2™ European Championship, including the Superstock category, retain their denominations under the umbrella of the FIM JuniorGP™ World Championship. The series also gains a new identity as part of this new era, with a new logo both for the Hawkers European Talent Cup and the Moto2™ European Championship. Over nearly a quarter of a century, JuniorGP™ has played a key role in the recognition and development of riders who have gone on to set records, including eight-time World Champion Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team), 2020 MotoGP™ Champion Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar) and 2021 MotoGP™ Champion Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP). More than 80% of Grand Prix riders have passed through the series on their Road to MotoGP™, rising to over 90% for the Moto3™ grid. With its new name and identity, the FIM JuniorGP™ World Championship will continue fostering talent as its 25th year begins.

FIM EUROPE MAGAZINE

FOCUS ON > VOICE TO... PUBLIC AFFAIR COMMISSION 36

EXEMPTION OF MOTORSPORT FROM THE MOTOR INSURANCE DIRECTIVE Motorsport has been opposing the Vnuk motor insurance ruling for several years due to the requirement of a wide range of mechanically-powered vehicles, including those driven on private land such as a racing circuit, to be insured. This would mean that any collision in European motorsport would be treated as a road traffic incident. Following the legal judgment by the Court of Justice of the European Union in September 2014, the Vnuk ruling requires vehicles such as e-kick scooters or golf buggies to have insurance, even on private land.

The Act was adopted by the Council of the European Union and the European Parliament, and the amendments to the motor insurance Directive have been signed into law. The section on motorsport is the following:

‘This Directive shall not apply to the use of a vehicle in motorsport events and activities, including races, competitions, training, testing and demonstrations in a restricted and demarcated area in a Member State, where the Member State ensures that the organiser of the activity or any other party has taken out an alternative insurance or guarantee policy covering the damage to any third party, including spectators and other bystanders but not necessarily covering the damage to the participating drivers and their vehicles.’ (Art. 3b)

This means that EU Member States will be obligated to introduce legislation that exempts motorsport (as described) but insists on some kind of 3rd party insurance for events. They will have 24 months to introduce this legislation if they do not have it.

In addition to motorsport, FIM concerns regarding museums and other collections are partly addressed by revised Article 5 paragraph 3 which says:

‘A Member State may derogate from Article 3 in respect of vehicles that are temporarily or permanently withdrawn and prohibited from use, provided that a formal administrative procedure or other verifiable measure in accordance with national law has been put in place. Any Member State so derogating shall ensure that vehicles referred to in the first subparagraph are treated in the same way as vehicles in respect of which the insurance obligation referred to in Article 3 has not been satisfied. The guarantee fund of the Member State in which an accident has taken place shall then have a claim against the guarantee fund in the Member State where the vehicle is normally based.’

This can be best interpreted as stating that EU Member States can choose not to require insurance for de-registered vehicles (for example), but that the national guarantee fund would be liable for any claims. Again, Member States may already have similar legislation that brings this in effect, but some others will require new legislation to do so. If a Member State chooses not to follow the proposed Article, all vehicles, even museum ones and boxes of bits in a garage, would need a motor insurance. After this positive outcome for motorsport in Europe, the FMNs are requested now to contact their national governments and assist them on how they can bring the new legislation in force with the less harmful way for the sport and the motorcycle heritage.

FIM EUROPE MAGAZINE

FOCUS ON > VOICE TO... ENVIRONMENT COMMISSION

ENVIRONMENT COMMISSION ACTIVITIES ADAMO LEONZIO

Chairman Environment Commission

The Environment Commission produced an in-depth piece of work. The full version is available on the official FIM Europe website. www.fim-europe.com

ENVIRONMENTAL HIGHLIGHTS Documents received from event organisers with examples of good practice in environmental compliance. The purpose of this area is to show examples of good behavior, in order to suggest and stimulate the same behavior.

WHAT’S NEW IN ENVIRONMENT Documents on the studies about the effects of motorcycling activities on the environment.

Documents analysing the impact of motorcycling on the environment, considering the various aspects, sound, gaseous emissions, spillage into the water table, impact on flora and fauna.

Scientific studies carried out by universities that show that off-road motorcycling also has beneficial effects on the protection of the environment.

Possible solutions to mitigate the impacts of the activity on the environment in similar situations.

FIM EUROPE MAGAZINE

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