photo: COMU ALV
The headquarters of the General Assembly of FIM (Federation of International Motorcycling) move to Andorra la Vella, Andorra (Pyrenees) for the next two years (2017 – 2018).
This decision was made at the 7th edition of the FIM Gala Ceremony that took place in the famous Tempodrom, Berlin, 26-27 November.
Almost 600 invited guests packed into the iconic venue in the historic city to enjoy a very special evening that rewarded the exploits of the World’s best motorcycles riders, reports FIM.
During the ceremony the mayor of Andorra la Vella Conxita Marsol said that the Principality was fully prepared to organize a world-class sporting events, as Andorra confirmed it during the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships and the competition stage of the Tour de France in 2016.
Conxita Marsol also said that Andorra – was one of the safest countries in Europe and very attractive for mass tourism.
FIM Gala Ceremony was hosted by Matthew Roberts, Lisa Leyland and Gavin Emmett who shared their passion and knowledge of motorcycle racing as they steered the audience through an evening to be remembered.
Legends such as Per-Olof Serenius, Tomo Igata, Gilles Burgat, Heinz Kinigadner, Gualtiero Brissoni, Jacky Vimond and Luigi Taveri were joined on stage by the likes of Marc Marquez, Johann Zarco, Brad Binder, Ryan Dungey, Jonathan Rea, Matthew Phillips, Toni Bou, Tim Gajser, Greg Hancock, and many more talented riders. The Women’s side of the sport was once again strongly represented by Emma Bristow, Livia Lancelot and Kirsi Kainulainen.
In addition to the many FIM World Champions who stepped forward to receive their awards, the FIM also made four special presentations. These included the FIM Fair Play Trophy presented to Laia Sanz; the FIM Environmental Award, which was won by the Circuit de Barcelona–Catalonia; the FIM Road Safety Award that was handed over to the Federazione Motociclistica Italiana (FMI); and finally the winner of FIM Woman in Motorcycling Award was announced as AMA Get Women Riding Campaign – USA.
Speaking after the close of the ceremony FIM President Vito Ippolito stated: “It was a great honour to host the seventh edition of the FIM Gala Ceremony in the wonderful city of Berlin, and for the first time in Germany. The Tempodrom was a wonderful place to celebrate all our 2016 FIM World Champions and to enjoy this special moment with so many people. I want to thank the riders, teams and the whole motorcycling family for being here tonight and for supporting this very important event when once again we have shown to the World the great-spirit that continues to exist within motorcycling.
The Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM, Federation of International Motorcycling) is the global governing/sanctioning body of motorcycle racing. It represents 111 national motorcycle federations that are divided into six regional continental unions.
There are six motorcycle-racing disciplines that FIM covers, encompassing 65 world championships and prizes: road racing, motocross (including snowcross, trials, enduro, cross-country rallies & bajas) and track racing (combining grasstrack and speedway). FIM is also involved in many non-racing activities that promote the sport, its safety, and support relevant public policy. The FIM is also the first international sporting federation to publish an Environmental Code, in 1994. In 2007, a Commission for Women in Motorcycling was created by the FIM in order to promote the use of powered two-wheelers and the motorcycle sport among women.
The FIM was born from the Fédération Internationale des Clubs Motocyclistes (FICM), which itself was founded in Paris, France, on December 21, 1904. The name was changed to the Fédération Internationale Motocycliste (FIM) in 1949, the same year that also saw the first race of the famed Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix.
