FIM Europe Mag 1 2015

­FIM­EUROPE­FOR­ROAD­SAFETY­

STRONG­EUROPEAN­PARTICIPATIONIN­TEAM­EVENTS

THE­EUROPEAN­STOCK­600­CHAMPIONSHIPACCORDING­TO­MICHAEL­VAN­DER­MARK

Nr 1/2015 - January/February

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Inter view with Inter view with Michael van der MarkMichael van der Mark

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

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

FIM Europe MAG #1 January-February 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)

Jan Witteveen presented the European Stock 250 4 Strokes Championship

Non-Sporting Commissions Meetings

FIM Europe for Road Safety

Strong European par ticipation Strong European par ticipation in Team Eventsin Team Events

FIM Europe Mag 1/2015

Great­varietyGreat­varietyin­2015­Sporting­Calendarsin­2015­Sporting­Calendars

Above, the start of European Motocross Championship 125 cc in Belgium, (photo M. Zanzani, ©Youthstream) On the left, Martin de Graaff, FIM Europe 1st Deputy President. Below, the European Enduro Championship in Balau (photo R. Pairan)

FIM­EUROPE­INSIDE

All sporting calendars of the va-rious motorsport disciplineswere approved at the last mee-ting of the Management Councilin Belgrade. This meeting wascombined with the prize-givingceremony of the Balkan Motorcy-cle Union, where riders of allages received their awards. Weasked Mr Martin de Graaff, Presi-dent of FIM Europe SportingCouncil, to summarize the 2015European sporting scenery.

«In Road Racing the new eventswill be the CEV Repsol EC Cham-pionship, the Stock 250 in theAlpe Adria Championship, whichis open on affordable road racebikes to young riders from all Fe-derations.

«As for Motocross, there will beevents in all European zones andthe final in Kegums (Latvia), andthe various European Champion-ship classes will race in combina-tion with the MXGP.

«Quads will race in combinationwith Sidecar World Championshipand also in combination with65/85 EC. At the beginning of2015 FIM Europe will sign a spon-sor contract for the EuropeanChampionship Quads.

«The European Motocross of Na - tions, also for Wo men, will beopen to other CONUs. The Sidecar-cross /Quadcross of European Na-tions in Schwedt (Germany) inOctober will also beopen to riders fromother Continents.

«All new is the Moto-cross Hill climb Euro-pean Championshipin Kivioli (Estonia),on Saturday eveningbetween the trainingand races of theWorld ChampionshipSidecars and Euro-pean Cham- pionshipQuads.

«Calendars in Enduro, TrackRace, Dragbikes, Trial and alsofor the several Vintage Cups willbe well divided all over Europe,with many events.

«After the cancellation in the la-test years of the EuropeanChampionship of Motoball, thenew Series will be held in Ger-many, from 20-25 May (Final onMay 25th) in Kuppenheim (Ger-many). The event will be a must

for fans of football in combina-tion with motorsport. «The at-tention to Mini Road Racing onEuropean level was decreasingduring the last years, but in 2015two races for the EuropeanChampionship will be organised

in Italy and in the Netherlands.Both events will take place in Au-gust, which is important, becauseit will be holiday time for youngriders taking part to the differentclasses. For the races in Assen aspecial TT Junior track will be de-

veloped, near the famous TT Cir-cuit. In the week before the raceall riders will be welcome forfree training and sessions withspecial trainers. Hopefully the ri-ders of many Federations willtake part in these two events.

«I am very sati-sfied with thewell preparedsporting calen-dars in all di-s c i p l i n e s » ,added Martinde Graaff.«Thanks to allhard workingFIM EuropeCommiss ionsand Officialsfor their con-tribution in2014 and forwhat has beenachieved for2015, in goodcoope ra t i onwith our mem-ber Federa-tions and ourPromoters».

Above, the discipline of Motoball, which will come back at European level this year. Below, the Mini Road Racing: in 2015 two races for the European Championship will be organised in Italy and in the Netherlands

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FIM Europe Mag 1/2015

The FIM Europe ManagementBoard approved, during itsmeeting in Belgrade on 6thDecember 2014, the proposalby Jan Stovicek, the FIM Eu-rope Vice President, to imple-ment the project of FIMEurope legal texts revision.

Basing on this decision, FIMEurope will address all itsmember FMNs to participatein the revision work of crucialFIM Europe texts, includingthe Statutes, By-Laws, Disci-plinary and Arbitration Codeand the Sporting Code. Alsothe FIM will be invited to par-ticipate.

A working group of lawyerswill be formed in order to re-view these legislative textswith the objective to identifyeventual inconsistencies thatmight have occurred with re-gard to various modificationsin past years, and proposerectifications to improvetheir legal quality.

The objective is also to intro-duce elementary rules for le-gislative process for thefuture so that the risk of re-production of similar situa-tion is minimized.

The revision works will be ledby Mr Jan Stovicek for manyyears a member of the FIM In-

ternational Panel of Judgesand experienced sporting la-wyer.

Mr Jan Stovicek will also bethe leader of another impor-tant project: according to thedecision of the ManagementCouncil FIM Europe will inve-stigate the opportunities offinancing motorcycling sportactivities in Europe from Eu-ropean Union funds.

The objective is to identifyways how to (co)finance acti-vities of FIM Europe and of itsmember FMNs such as Euro-pean Championship events,training camps and suchlike.

There is an allowance of 266million Euro for the period of2014-2020 in the EU budgetto fund EU-wide, non-profitsporting activities andevents, through the ERA-SMUS+ program. Variousevents like European Univer-sity Games or Youth OlympicFestival have already beenco-financed from this pro-gram in the recent past. Ap-parently various motorcyclingsport activities organizedunder the FIM Europe or itsmember FMNs are suitable forsimilar support.

FIM Europe will further followthis issue, informing its mem-

ber FMNs about guidelineshow to proceed in applicationprocess. As a first stage it iscertainly necessary to iden-tify projects suitable for ap-plication, which is a task forall FIM Europe and memberFMNs.

In the photo on the right, Mr JanStovicek, leader of two importantprojects for FIM Europe

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Start of the Legal Review ProjectStart of the Legal Review Projectand EU funding and EU funding of motorcycling sport activitiesof motorcycling sport activities

Start of the Legal Review ProjectStart of the Legal Review Projectand EU funding and EU funding of motorcycling sport activitiesof motorcycling sport activities

FFIIMM EEuurrooppee ffoorr RRooaadd SSaaffeettyy

FIM­ Europe­ has­ been­ sharingthe­importance­of­road­safetysince­its­foundation.­Nowadaysthere­are­37­millions­motorcy-clists­ in­ Europe­ and­ they­ arealso­among­the­most­vulnera-ble­road­users.

Over­28.100­people­were­killedin­ traffic­ accidents­ in­2012­ in27­ Member­ States­ and­ therewere­around­1,4­million­peopleinjured­in­the­same­year.­Trafficcollisions­are­the­main­cause­ofdeath­ for­ people­ under­ 45years­of­age.­

In­ 2009­ they­ have­ cost­ €­ 130billion/year­to­society.­On­ave-rage­one­out­of­3­inhabitants­ofEU­will­be­hospitalised­duringhis­life­because­of­a­traffic­ac-cident.

Of­ all­ road­ fatalities,­ almost50%­ are­ car­ occupants­ ­ andaround­15%­are­motorcyclists­–and­3%­moped­riders,­althoughthere­ are­ around­ 25­ cars­ toevery­motorcycle­registered­inthe­EU.­

Chances­of­ getting­hurt­ in­anaccident­for­two-wheelers­aretherefore­higher­than­for­mostroad­users,­and­consequencesfor­riders­are­usually­more­se-rious.­

This­ is­ why­ one­ of­ the­ mainaims­ of­ FIM­ Europe­ is­ to­ in-volve­National­ Federations inthe­activities­which­are­linkedto­road­users­and­Road­Safetyin­particular.­

Since­2007­the­yearly­event­ofRoad­ Safety­ Conference­ has

been­launched:­it­happens­du-ring­ the­ annual­ FIM­ EuropeCongress,­where­the­47­Euro-pean­Federations­are­present.

FIM­Europe­is­now­organisingthe ninth­edition­of­Road­Sa-fety­Conference, which,­as­ itsmain­ aim,­ will­ deal­ with­ thedevelopment­of­electronics­toincrease­ usability­ and­ safetyboth­on­track­and­on­road.

FIM­Europe,­in­fact,­has­a­privi-leged­observation­point,­as­forits­ institutional­ role­ FIM­ Eu-rope­is­acting­in­all­matters­inrelation­with­motorcycling­ac-tivities­ and,­ as­ such,­ in­ do-mains­ ranging­ from­ sport,tourism,­mobility,­road­safety,protection­and­defence­of­therights­and­interests­of­motorcy-cle­users.­All­this­helps­FIM­Eu-

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7FIM Europe Mag 1/2015

From the left, Jean-Pierre Moreau, FIM Europe Public Affairs Chairman, Dries Hop, Dutch Police NationalAcademy, and Silvio Manicardi, FIM Europe 2nd Deputy President

rope­ to­ help­ exchange­ expe-rience­ among­ different­ "ac-tors".

So­in­its­first­event,­in­Cyprus,in­2007,­the­Road­Safety­Con-ference­ dealt­ with­ "Specificproblems­ on­ road­ safety"­ inMediterranean­ Area­ and,more­generally,­in­Europe,­fa-cing­also­the­topic­of­"Industryresponses­ and­ initiatives",with­ the­ intervention­ ofACEM,­ the­ Motorcycle­ Indu-stry­ in­Europe.­ In­the­secondedition­ of­ the­ Road­ SafetyConference,­in­Riga,­the­atten-tion­was­already­on­man,­withinterventions­about­"Early­Ha-zard­Perception­Course"­(fromRoyal­ Dutch­ Motorcyclist­ As-sociation).­

In­the­third­edition­Jean-PierreMoreau,­Chairman­of­FIM­Eu-rope­ Public­ Affairs­ Commis-sion,­outlined­the­importanceof­opening­the­door­of­circuitsto­ motorcycle­ road­ users,­ inorder­to­give­them­secure­spa-ces­and­propose­to­them­an­al-ternative­ solution­ to­ road

repression,­but­ also­ to­ knowbetter­ the­ limits­ of­ their­ ri-ding,­ to­ measure­ their­ reac-tions­and­to­take­advantage­ofadvice­of­qualified­instructors.­

Among­ the­ most­ interestingsubjects­the­Road­Safety­Con-ference­ dealt­ with,­ there­ isalso­"Traumatic­injuries­afterroad­accidents",­by­Prof.­Mo-reschini,­ of­ the­ University­ ofRome,­in­2011.­

In­ the­ latest­ edition,­ during2014­FIM­Europe­Congress­inCracow,­one­of­the­main­topicswas­represented­by­airbag­formotorcyclists,­where­the­con-nection­between­technologiesdeveloped­for­road­safety­andfor­sporting­motor­sports­wasvery­ strong.­ In­ the­ end,­ MrJarno­ Zaffelli,­ Dromo­ CircuitDesigner,­ also­ explained­ thesafety­and­risk­analysis­systemhe­developed:­DroCAS,­whichdeals­with­Run­Off­dimensio-ning­ and­ risk­ assessment­ formotor¬sports­and­is­also­usedto­turn­incident­experience­inan­ objective­ tool­ to­ assess

risks­inside­and­outside­race-tracks.­

«EU had set itself the goal ofreducing in ten years by 50%road deaths, which in 2001were 54,000. The goal was al-most reached, because in 2010the traffic fatalities were31,000, which represent any-way the loss of habitants of amedium-sized city in Europe»,FIM­ Europe­ second­ DeputyPresident­ Silvio­ Manicardisaid.

«Unfortunately the fatal acci-dents among motorcyclists fellin a lower percentage, byabout 30%, so the world oftwo wheelers must put moreenergy to achieve the objec-tive.

«Now UE aims to reduce, overthe next 10 years, again by50% this figure and the FIMEurope will do all possible ac-tions, also through the Natio-nal Federations associated, tohelp achieve this importanttarget».

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"How to tackle motorcycle safetychallenges for the next decade?"This is the question to which RI-DERSCAN project will commit togive an answer. The EU co-financed RIDERSCANproject, a European Scanning Tourfor Motorcycle Safety, in fact, is ai-ming at taking a magnifying glassand look at Member States' rele-vant expertise (motorcycling androad safety experts) to draw re-commendations to improve motor-cycle safety in Europe.The safety of motorcyclists - andtheir protection against the riskand consequences of an accident -is a subject of paramount impor-tance, not only for motorcyclists,but for the community in general.While the number of motorcyclistdeaths has been steadily decrea-sing over the last two decades, thedip has been slower than for otherroad users, in part due to the in-crease in fleet size that occurredover the same time period.The need to work on improvingmotorcycle safety has been reco-gnized by the United Nations in itsDeclaration for a Decade of Actionfor Road Safety, by the OECD (2008Lillehammer conference), by themotorcyclist community (2010 Eu-ropean Motorcyclists’ Forum) andby the European Commission, whocommitted to improve researchand technical development aimedat increasing motorcyclist safety.

The RIDERSCAN project is designedto address this issue, by collectinginformation to allow for the firsttime a comparison of situations,fleets, populations and policiesbetween countries and regionsacross Europe.The 3-year project was intendedto gather existing knowledge, iden-tify needs and disseminate the col-lected information to relevantstakeholders to promote motorcy-cle safety throughout Europe. It re-ports on areas for European action(legislation, standardization, rese-arch and political needs), but alsopublishes conclusions to stakehol-ders at national level. So doing,the project expects to foster a newdynamic among road safety stake-holders by advancing knowledge,enhancing communication and bet-ter cooperation between the va-rious areas related to motorcyclesafety.On the 2nd of February in Bruxellesthere was a panel discussion of theoutcomes of the RIDERSCAN pro-ject. This event is organised byFEMA and sponsored also by FIM, topresent and discuss the collectedinformation, including:- A detailed picture of motorcyclingin Europe based on the survey re-sults of more than 10.000 answersin 30 European countries (withcountry comparison in terms of ri-ding habits and safety attitudes);- Member States priorities to im-

prove PTW safety (outcomes of in-depth interviews from 22 MemberStates road safety representati-ves);- The results of a unique survey onITS for motorcycling and usefulnessrating by the powered two wheelerusers in Europe;- Research and data collection sta-tus in Europe, national and EU datacollection needs, and proposal forimproving and harmonizing acci-dent report forms;- Common PTW infrastructure pro-blems and relevant European andnational standards review needs.The Forum consisted of a full dayWorkshop at the CEN-CENELEC-where these important sessionswere scheduled:Knowledge - What do we knowover motorcycling safety? Researchstatus Accessing Motorcycling - Safer andbetter access to Powered TwoWheelers? Road Environment Environment –Safer roads PTWs, from design tomaintenance Safety Messages – Communicatingwith the riding community Strategies – Priorities and key mea-sures for the next decade.The following day the EuropeanMotorcyclists’ Forum 2015 ended inthe European Parliament to pre-sent the outcomes of the RIDER-SCAN project.

8 FIM Europe Mag 1/2015

LLeett tthhee rriiddeerrss wwrriittee tthhee llaaww

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Interesting comments and opinionson the matter were expressed bySzabolcs Schmidt (Head of theRoad Safety Unit, Directorate-Ge-neral for Mobility and Transport(DG MOVE) of the European Com-mission), members of the Europeanparliament Inés Ayalá-Sender andWim van de Camp, FIM CAP Direc-tor Jesper Christensen and FEMAGeneral Secretary Dolf Willigers.Finally Pierre van Elslande, Chair-man of the ITF Working Group pre-sented some of the outcomes ofthe OECD/ITF Motorcycle safety re-port.During the morning at the Euro-pean Parliament it became clearthat the huge amount of informa-tion the RIDERSCAN project has ge-nerated will be very useful for theEuropean Commission, and Mr.Schmidt expressed his gratitude forthis, saying that the outcomes ofthe project were very useful andwould certainly be taken into ac-count in the mid-term evaluationof the European Commission RoadSafety Policy Orientations 2011-2020.During his speech Mr Jesper Chri-stensen launched some strong mes-sages, such as the proposal thatmotorcyclists should start makinglaws for motorcyclists themselves,the request to reconsider the Di-

rective about licenses in order toensure a procedure which consi-ders more the aspects that are "im-portant for safety" leaving outsome demonstrations of skillswhich are less useful. Costs shouldbe more affordable, too.From the first experiences of appli-cations of this Directive motorcycleassociations have evidence of di-scrimination against women whohave found difficulties to pass thetests because of the type of motor-cycle that you have to use duringthe examinations.Another strong demand was forbetter infrastructure and for rapidEuropean definition and implemen-tation of the technical standardthat defines "the motorcycle frien-dly barriers".Mr Van de Camp and Ms. Ayalá-Sen-der saw room for improvement ofthe Road Safety Policy and empha-sized the need to use the informa-tion of RIDERSCAN in this. Theyalso foresaw a growing role for po-wered two wheelers (PTWs) in fu-ture mobility. Mr Van de Camp also invited themotorcycle community to give himinput for the mid-tern evaluationof the European Commission RoadSafety Policy Orientations 2011-2020 in the European Parliament.

Mr Willigers stated that the use ofpowered two wheelers was part ofthe solution for present and futurecongestion problems and thereforeusing a PTW should made safer. Heexpressed the hope that the outco-mes of the RIDERSCAN project andthe willingness of the EuropeanCommission to use them wouldcontribute to this.Mr Van Elslande referred in his pre-sentation to a growing role of PTWsin global mobility, a disproportionalnumber of casualties of riders andthe need to take action on this.The OECD/ITF report will containrecommendations to enhance mo-torcycle road safety.Mr Silvio Manicardi, who attendedthe meeting as FIM Europe Vice-President stated: «Since its foun-dation FIM Europe has alwaysgiven particolar attention to roadsafety problems, both directy andthrough the 47 Federations that itrepresents and it has always seenwith great favour all initiativesborn to improve safety of motor-cyclists on the European roads. RI-DERSCAN project places itselfamong these iniatives. It is one ofthe programs that give the possi-bility to politicians and membersof the European Commission to le-giferate on the basis of facts andnot not just by personal opinion».

In the other page, simulated crash test withhelmet not properly fixed in front of school-boys. In the group, from the left Silvio Manicardi,FIM Europe Vice President, John Chatterton-Ross FIM Public affairs director, Dolf Willi-gers, just appointed FEMA Secretary General,Thomas Linget, FIM consultant, Jesper Chri-stensen FIM CAP DirectorBelow, the presentation of RIDERSCAN pro-ject at the European Parliament. From theleft Jesper Christensen, Dolf Willigers, Sza-bolcs Schmidt, Inés Ayalá-Sender, Wim van deCamp and Pierre van Elslande

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Events for National Teams arealways very special, as they arethe most popular showcase ofour sport. It is the only occasionwhere the best riders of theworld come together and com-pete for their Country.

They ride with great pride andenthusiasm for their colours. Itis an honour for every rider tobe selected for the nationalteam and compete against ri-ders of all the other nationalteams.

European Federations have along history and tradition totake part in these events andthey work very hard on the pre-paration as well as the selectionof the riders.

These are the famous teamevents: ISDE (International SixDays Enduro), Motocross of Na-

tions, SuperMoto of Nations,Trial des Nations and Freestyleof Nations. Expect the Snow-cross of Nations as of 2016.

FIM has recently issued a stati-stics about the venues and theparticipation in the past years.

«FIM Europe, as the largestContinental Union with 47 Fe-derations as affiliated mem-bers, features always thebiggest number of partici-pants», says dr Wolfgang Srb.«This is a heavy burden interms of financial and logisticefforts. I am happy that theEuropean Federations keepthe value, tradition and im-portance of the team eventsvery high on the agenda».

Strong Strong European participation European participation in Team Eventsin Team Events

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12 FIM Europe Mag 1/2015

ISDE World Trophy 2011, Finland: 17 teams, 14 from FIM Europe = 82%2012, Germany: 24 teams, 19 from FIM Europe = 79%2013, Italy: 20 teams, 13 from FIM Europe = 65%2014, Argentina: 11 teams, 4 from FIM Europe = 36%

ISDE Junior Trophy2011, Finland: 14 teams, 11 from FIM Europe = 78%2012, Germany: 19 teams, 13 from FIM Europe = 68%2013, Italy: 15 teams, 11 from FIM Europe = 73%2014, Argentina: 9 teams, 3 from FIM Europe = 33%

ISDE Women Trophy2011, Finland: 5 teams, 3 from FIM Europe = 60%2012, Germany: 7 teams, 4 from FIM Europe = 57%2013, Italy: 6 teams, 3 from FIM Europe = 50%2014, Argentina: 3 teams, 0 from FIM Europe = 0%

ISDE total number of National Teams (Senior + Junior + Women)2011, Finland: 36 teams, 28 from FIM Europe = 77%2012, Germany: 50 teams, 36 from FIM Europe = 72%2013, Italy: 41 teams, 27 from FIM Europe = 65%2014, Argentina: 23 teams in total, 7 from FIM Eu-rope = 30%

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FIM Europe Mag 1/2015 13

Motocross of Nations2011, France: 36 teams, 25 from FIM Europe = 69%2012, Belgium: 33 teams, 24 from FIM Europe = 72%2013, Germany: 40 teams, 31 from FIM Europe = 77%2014, Latvia: 34 teams, 27 from FIM Europe = 79%

SuperMoto of Nations2011, Spain: 23 teams, 21 from FIM Europe = 91%2012, Portugal: 14 teams, 14 from FIM Europe = 100%2013, Bulgaria: 18 teams, 18 from FIM Europe = 100%2014, Italy: 21 teams, 20 from FIM Europe = 95%

Trial des Nations, Men2011, Italy: 22 teams, 18 from FIM Europe = 81%2012, Switzerland: 24 teams, 18 from FIM Europe = 75%2013, France: 22 teams, 18 from Europe = 81%2014, Andorra: 21 teams, 16 from Europe = 76%

Trial des Nations, Women2011, Italy: 10 teams, 8 from FIM Europe = 80%2012, Switzerland: 11 teams, 9 from FIM Europe = 81%2013, France: 11 teams, 7 from Europe = 63%2014, Andorra: 13 teams, 9 from Europe = 69%

Trial des Nations, total number of National Teams(Men + Women)2011, Italy: 32 teams, 26 from FIM Europe = 81%2012, Switzerland: 35 teams, 26 from FIM Europe = 74%2013, France: 33 teams, 25 from Europe = 75%2014, Andorra: 34 teams, 25 from Europe = 73%

Freestyle of Nations2014, Germany: 8 teams, 5 from FIM Europe = 62%

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European Team EventsEuropean Team Events

Always top of the sporting agenda

Always top of the sporting agenda

FIM­EUROPE­INSIDE

European Team EventsEuropean Team Events

The highlights of the motorsport sea-son are without any doubt the teamevents: the best and fastest riders of aCountry, united in a national team,compete for one of the most importantachievements in our sport: the title of“European Team Champion”. There is a big variety of nearly all di-sciplines, from Motocross to Enduro,from Track Racing to Vintage, fromRoad Racing to Motoball. The competi-tion as well as the tradition is growingby the year, and so is the fan base.«It is a big honour for every rider,

male or female, to be selected for theNational Team and to represent thecolours of the Country», comments DrWolfgang Srb, FIM Europe President.«They all participate with pride andenthusiasm and get cheered by thefans. It is an unforgettable experiencefor every rider. I am very happy aboutthe ongoing support of the NationalFederations for these unique events».We have collected the statistics of thelatest European Team Events (in thephoto, courtesy of Youthstream, thepodium of MX of Women European ofNations 2014 in Pacov).

Always top of the sporting agenda

Always top of the sporting agenda

FIM Europe Mag 1/201516

Road Racing Sidecar Cup2012, Italy: 6 teams

MX of European Nations2011, Bulgaria: 14 teams2012, Ukraine: 14 teams2013, France: 24 teams (+ Women)2014, Czech Republic: 16 teams (+Women)

Sidecar & Quadcross of European Nations2011, Germany: 29 teams2012, The Netherlands: 26 teams2014, The Netherlands: 26 teams

Track Racing (Team Speedway Junior)2011, Slovenia: 4 teams2012, Germany: 4 teams2013, Poland: 4 teams2014, Germany: 4 teams

Track Racing (European Speedway Club)2011, Russia: 4 teams

Track Racing (Pairs Speedway)2011, Poland: 7 teams2012, Ukraine: 7 teams2013, Germany: 7 teams2014, Czech Republic: 7 teams

Enduro Trophy (Nations + Junior + Club Teams + Veteran teams)2011, France: 19 teams2012, Slovakia: 21 teams2013, Portugal: 18 teams (+ Women)2014, Czech Republic: 26 teams (+ Women)

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FIM Europe Mag 1/2015

Motoball2011, Ukraine: 4 teams2012, Germany: 4 teams2013, France: 6 teams

Vintage Road Racing Cup (Sidecar 1000cc + 750cc)2014, Denmark: 7 teams

Vintage Regularity Cup (Sidecar)2013, Slovakia: 5 teams

Vintage Enduro Cup (Club Teams) 2013, Italy: 7 teams

Vintage Endurance Cup (500 end + 750 end A +750 end B + end +Classic 750cc + MaxiClassic + Classic1000cc)2011, Italy: 32 teams2013, Spain: 39 teams2014, Spain: 67 teams

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Today in Fiumicino the first meeting was held of Non-

Sporting Commissions afterFIM Europe Congress in Cra-cow and the election of presi-dent Dr Wolf gang Srb lastJuly.

CAP (Public Affairs) Commis-sion continues its work underthe same chairmanship whileTouring and Marketing Com-missions have found theirnew chairmen in Nils Freivaldsfor Tourism and Stijn Ren-tmeesters for Marketing.

As for the Touring Commis-sion, the idea has been pur-sued of having repre sen-tatives from all over Europe,from North to South, in orderto have different visions ofthe use of motorcycle andtherefore both proposals ofgeneral and regional interest.

«This first meeting of theNon-Sporting Commissionsafter the Congress in Cracowwas very positive», commentsSilvio Manicardi, FIM EuropeVice-President. «There has

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The Public Affairs Commission, with the Commission Chairman Jean-Pierre Moreau

The Touring Commission, with the Commission Chairman Nils Freivalds

FFIIMM EEuurrooppee NNoonn--SSppoorrttiinngg CCoommmmiissssiioonnss MMeeeettiinnggss

been a strong participationfrom everybody, with an im-portant contribution fromFIM Commissions Directors,who have been invited for thefirst time to participate tothe Commissions work and tothe Non-Sporting Council.

«I am very pleased with theresult of the meetings. Thepresence of the FIM Commis-sion Directors added additio-nal value.

«FIM Europe will continuewith this type of joint mee-tings also in the years tocome», stated FIM EuropePre sident Dr Wolfgang Srb.

The Marketing Commission, with the Commission Chairman Stijn Rentmeesters

The Marketing Commission, with the Com-mission Chairman Stijn Rentmeesters.Below, from left: Jan Stovicek, JuhaniHalme, Nina Birjukova, Michal Sikora, DrWolf gang Srb, Alessandro Sambuco, SilviaMonatti, Michel Turk, Martin de Graaff, Sil-vio Manicardi and Jean-Marc Desnues.The Non-Sporting Commissions Council

FFIIMM EEuurrooppee NNoonn--SSppoorrttiinngg CCoommmmiissssiioonnss MMeeeettiinnggss FIM­EUROPE­INSIDE

After the first successful years ofactivity, the MXGP Academy re-news itself and in the first week of2015 is starting with a trainingcamp in Spain.Motocross riders of at least 6 Coun-tries are taking part to the trainingsession in the South of Spain.During the MXGP of Lommel (Bel-gium), Youthstream President Giu-seppe Luongo announced that as of2015 this project will be managedby FIM Europe, with the on-goingsupport from Youthstream.The team of the MXGP Academy re-lies on the support of famous trai-ners: two-time FIM MotocrossWorld Champion John Van DenBerk and Jan Postema, for additio-nal training sessions, while the re-sponsible for the coordination isMartin van Genderen, well knownin Motocross as well as in Road Rac -ing. The team has at its disposal for theAcademy six KTM: 65 cc, 85 cc and125 cc. Of course riders can alsouse their own motocross bikes. «In many meetings the team hasdeveloped this new style of theAcademy», says Martin de Graaff,responsible of MXGP Academy onbehalf of FIM Europe, where he isPresident of the Sporting Council.«I am pleased with the results andall aspects of training possibilitiesfor young riders and trainers intheir plans.«The future structure, laid downin a long term vision with thename ‘Motivation by Encouraging’,is comparable with many othersport programs of Olympic andnon-Olympic disciplines».The activities for these trainingsessions are: motor training, edu-cation for riders (rules and beha-

viour), aspects of physical training,program for parents about commu-nication, food for sportsmen andwomen. A motocross rider, in fact, is notonly rider but an athlete, with allnecessary skills and aspects of trai-ning and education. Every youngmotocross rider wants to reach thenext level.Besides the program and certifica-tion system for riders, the MXGPAcademy team will pay attentionto a “Train the trainer program”.After the training camp in Spainthe MXGP Academy intends to trainyoung riders on Fridays and Satur-days previousto 6 or 7MXGP eventsin Europeancountries.Riders, pa-rents and trai-ners will beinvited in con-sultation andcooperationwith the con-cerned Fede-ration wherethe MXGP willtake place.The calendarand updatesfor this pro-gram will fol-low and willbe publishedon the FIM Eu-rope website.In the mean-time, a num-ber ofFederationsshowed inte-rest for a

short, two-days training camp forriders and trainers carried out bythe MXGP Academy team. This canbe planned in consultation with theteam, and in coordination with na-tional Federations to reduce costswill also be possible. Interested Fe-derations can send an applicationto FIM Europe in Rome ([email protected])

FIM Europe Mag 1/2015

Start of 2015 Season for MXGP AcademyStart of 2015 Season for MXGP Academy

From the left Martin van Genderen, trainer co-ordinator, Jan Postema, trainer, Martin de Gra-aff, President FIM Europe Sporting Council.Above, a moment of the Academy in 2014(photo ©Youthstream)

SPORT­NEWS

JJaann WWiitttteevveeeenn pprreesseennttss

In Trieste in the contest of the pre-sentation of Alpe Adria Team Italia,the rules of the new EuropeanStock 250 4 Strokes Championshipwere introduced to the Italian pu-blic, with the favours of the localadministration of the city. Special guest of the evening wasJan Witte ven, the Dutch engineerwinner of more than 40 worldchampionships in off-road and GPracing.Mr Witteveen explained the te-chnical characteristics of the mo-torcycles which are allowed totake part to this new EuropeanChampionship, strongly wanted byFIM Europe to give young riders acheap, "easy" series where theycan move their first steps in a Con-tinental contest. «This series is the idea which wasreally missing», Mr Witteveencommented. «Passing from mini-bikes to Moto3 is hard, the Stock250 4 Strokes series is the perfectmiddle step. The bike is light -around 90 kilos - and the power iswell balanced: 35-36 horse-power,the same for all the motorcycles,thanks to shared ECU. The motor-cycle costs less than 10.000 eurobut this does mean that is notsafe or valid: it means only thatthere not expensive materials likecarbon, titan or magnesium butaluminium and steel are enough to

build a good bike! These motorcy-cles recall the 125 Sport Produc-tion machines of the Nineties: andfrom that series riders like Capi-rossi, Biaggi and Rossi emerged». One of the motorcycles which willtake part to the new series wasthe main protagonist of the event.It was realised by Italian FrancoMoro, but the series is open to allconstructors.«The new European Stock 250Championship is arousing greatattention», stated Mr Luigi Fava-rato, Alpe Adria Motorcycle UnionPresident. «Teams and riders fromFran ce, Spain, Germany, Holland,Slovackia, Czech Republic andItaly have already registered totake part to the series. In thenext weeks we are going to pre-sent the championship in otherEuropean Countries of Alpe Adriaarea. We areproud ofbeing thepromote r sof this newchamp ion -ship, whichwill race inthe contestof Alpe AdriaSeries. Itwill give tomany youngriders the

opportunity to live an importantexperience in their sporting ca-reer». During the event the calendar ofthe European Stock 250 Cham-pionship was communicated.These are the dates:17 May Adria Raceway (Italy)31 May Pannoniaring (Hungary)21 June Grobnik (Croatia)19 July Most (Czech Republic)9 August Hungaroring (Hungary)13 September Slovakiaring (Slovakia)

From the left, Jan Witteveen, theDutch engineer winner of more than 40world championship, and Luigi Fava-rato, President of Alpe Adria MotorcycleUnion. The motorcycle is the Stock 2504 Strokes realised by Franco Moro forthe European Championship

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The FIM Europe has organized, incollaboration with the EuropeanWeightlifting Federation, the 2ndWeight Training Workshop. The Workshop is addressed toFIM Europe FMNs Trainers, evento those who participated at the1st edition. In fact will be presen-ted also updates deriving fromthe scientific studies carried outin the past year. Also Trainers co-ming from other FIM CONUS willbe welcomed at the Workshop.The initiative is a confirmation ofthe partnership strategy betweenFIM Europe and other sports fe-derations.Which is the role of strength inthe performance of the rider?What are the differences thatcharacterize the use of strengthin the various disciplines of Mo-torcycling?What means should be used forthe development of strength?What can be the role of weighttraining?Is it better to use fixed weightsor free weights for strength trai-ning of the riders?

The Workshop points to give ashared answer to these and otherquestions. In the first edition ofthe course the main topics were:the benefits of Weight trainingfor the rider; halth & safety andequipment selection; PosturalAnalysis and Functional Move-ment Screen; the importanceand role of Anatomical Adapta-tion; weight training and theyoung rider; principles of Trai-ning; designing a warm up pro-gram; over Reaching and OverTraining/Periodization; designingsample programs. Presenter will be Colin Buckley -EWF Education Department – whohas over 25 years experience asa Professional Weight TrainingCoach working with many clubsand Federations developing trai-ning programmes up to Elite andInternational Levels. He is a member of the EuropeanWeightlifting Federation Execu-tive Board, managing the EWFWeightlifting for Sports develop-ment program. He is a coach edu-cator and author of CoachDevelopment manuals and re-

sources.The Work -shop will beheld at HotelParadies inG r a z(www.hotel-paradies.at).

Participation at the Workshopand full board accommodation indouble room will be free ofcharge. Travel costs and extracosts will be paid by the partici-pants.A certificate will be granted toeach participant at the end ofthe Workshop. There are twenty places availa-ble for the Workshop which willbe assigned to the first twentyapplications received. Applicantswill receive a written confirma-tion by e-mail about the accep-tance of the inscription at theWorkshop.Applications should be sent wi-thin February 23rd 2015 to: [email protected].«It is very important that thetrainers, who work with the ri-ders almost every day, are on atop level», FIM Europe President,Dr Wolfgang Srb stated. «Conti-nuing education is the key. ColinBuckley is a well-recognizedtrainer with many years of expe-rience. I am grateful to the Euro-pean Weightlifting Federationthat Colin Buckley will alreadyshare for the second time hisgreat experience with us. As amatter of fact, not only trainersfrom European Federations areinvited, but also trainers fromother Continental Unions».

The 1st FIM Europe Weight Training Workshop - From the left TomiKonttinen, SML Trainer, Colin Buckley and FIM Europe Secretary Ge-neral Alessandro Sambuco. Above, a moment of the workshop

FIM­EUROPE­INSIDE

2nd FIM Europe Weight TrainingWorkshop

2nd FIM Europe Weight TrainingWorkshopIn Graz, In Graz, from 20from 20thth to 22to 22ndnd MarchMarchIn Graz, In Graz, from 20from 20thth to 22to 22ndnd MarchMarch

FIM Europe Mag 1/2015 23

The European The European 600 Stock Championship600 Stock ChampionshipAccording to Michael van der MarkAccording to Michael van der Mark

«It’s at a great level. Look at me and Franco Morbidelli who is now in«It’s at a great level. Look at me and Franco Morbidelli who is now inMoto2» comments the Supersport World Champion, who won the StockMoto2» comments the Supersport World Champion, who won the Stock600 Continental title in 2012600 Continental title in 2012

SPORT­NEWS

The European The European 600 Stock Championship600 Stock ChampionshipAccording to Michael van der MarkAccording to Michael van der Mark

«It’s at a great level. Look at me and Franco Morbidelli who is now in«It’s at a great level. Look at me and Franco Morbidelli who is now inMoto2» comments the Supersport World Champion, who won the StockMoto2» comments the Supersport World Champion, who won the Stock600 Continental title in 2012600 Continental title in 2012

Michael van der Mark, Supersportworld champion, this year willmake his debut in the SuperbikeWorld Championship with thePata Honda Team. Michael wonthe 2012 Superstock 600 UEM Eu-ropean championship in his se-cond season with the EAB TenKate Honda Junior Team. It was an especially impressiveperformance from the 19-year-oldfrom Rotterdam in the Nether-lands, who began his career racingin the Dutch 125cc Junior Cup.“Magic Mikey” has spent the lastfive years on Honda machinery, in-cluding a wildcard Moto2 ride atthe Dutch TT at Assen in 2011.In 2013 he ended fourth in hisWorld Supersport rookie season,thanks to a third place on PhillipIsland – his first Supersport raceever - a second on Aragon and athird place at Istanbul Park.

What is your memory about thetitle of Stock 600 you won in2012?It's a great memory for me be-cause when I went to do the Eu-ropean championship its was adream for me. After my first year when I won 4races. My goal was to become

champion and in the second yearwe did it.

Was it was useful to race in theStock 600 Championship?Of course it was useful to ride inthis class. You learn the SBK cir-cuits, paddock and of course youmeet important people.

What is your opinion about thecurrent Stock 600 Champion-ship? It's at a great level, look at meand of course Franco Morbidelliwho is now in Moto2. Every yearthey keep breaking lap recordsand people move on from Stock toWorld Supersport, which is theidea behind the stock classes.

You have already tested the newHonda with which you will racein the world Superbike. How isthe new bike?I think the new bike is much fa-ster than we expected. We testedwith the new engine and the en-gine felt really great, it is verysmall and I think they made agreat step on in the regulationsfor our bike.I really didn't know what to ex-pect because I had never tested a

Superbike before, but I also spoketo Sylvain who had many expe-riences on other bikes and he saysthe new engine is very good, too.I'm so happy for that.

Let's talk about the last season:when did you understand youwoud have won?I understood I could win the titlefrom Malesia, we had a big gapthere, we won again, the gap wasimproving and from that race on Ihad the feeling I could go for thetitle. In Misano I was second and Iwasn't happy, but I was alreadythinking about the title.

When a rider starts racing hestarts dreaming to become aworld champion... Sometimes I still can't believe it'strue. When I started racing myonly goal was to become worldchampion. Last year I've made it.It's something special and all thethings which happen after are re-ally incredible. I'm happy that mydream come true.

Now another dream comestrue... you passed from Super-sport to Superbike.Yes, last year was a great year

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because I become world cham-pion, but I needed to take ano-ther step, from Supersport toanother class. Honda gave me agreat two year deal and a greatbike to move my first steps in Su-perbike. I have the time to learn. Theydon't put much pressure on meand the opportunity they gave tome is a great opportunity. My goalis again to become world cham-pion as fast as possible, but I havea two years deal, so I have timeto learn.

What are your expectations forthis year?To be honest I don't have manyexpectations, I just want to seewhere I am after two or threeraces and from that point on wecan set a goal to the end of theyear. We want to improve step bystep and at the start of the seasonI really don't have many expecta-tions. We already tested in Portimaoand in Aragon, and then Jerez. Despite the weather we had quite

much riding time. In Australia weshall test again, that's what I neednow. More and more laps in Su-perbike. I'm really confident.

What are your favourite tracks?One of my favourites is for surePhillip Island, it's really incrediblethat track! But I also love Mugello, I've beenonce in Mugello and I think it'sone of the best tracks in theworld.

Where do you think you couldcatch your first win?I don't know where and when butI hope it's as fast as possible.

Who do you think will be themost dangerous rivals?I think this year with the new re-gulations all the bikes will be re-ally close. For sure from thebeginning Sylvain (Guintoli), Jona-than (Rea) and Tom (Sykes) will bein front, but I think there will bemany other fast riders. With thenew regulations you really can'tsay who will be at the front.

When you started riding did youhave a favourite rider?I visited the Dutch TT when I was9 or 10 and when I was eleven Iwent again. I could sit on the bikeof Valentino Rossi and when I sawthe pictures of me on the bike Idecided I wanted to start racing.So I have always been a fan of Va-lentino and he is one of the rea-sons why I started racing.My father used to race before butit was long before I was born, sohe never pushed to me to ride abike (he had won a 24 Hours of LeMans in 1984, in team with DirkBrand). I never met Valentino... Ionly seated on his bike!

Why did you choose four stro-kes?I think it was 2010, I was in the125 German Championship, thenI went in GP with Lambretta andafter 7 races the sponsorship stop-ped, so I had to change. I got theproposal to do a Supersport racein the German championship, Ididn't want to do it, I wanted torace in 125. I did the race but it

25

wasn't really great. I did one morerace in the Dutch Supersport, on aHonda, in Assen and I qualifiedthird, in the race I had a bad start

and finished 7th but I understood itwas not bad. After that I did thelast race of the 600 Superstock inMagny Cours, I finished 7th as welland at that point I realised I had tochoose another category and itwould be the future for me.

What was your first win ever?Second year racing, Aprilia 125Cup: I won the last three races ofthe year. It was my second year ofraces. In my first race ever I fini-shed third.

The best race of your career?I think Jerez was the best, all week -end I was incredibly fast, nobodyhad the pace I had and during therace I made a really good start

from pole position. My starts arealwyas good, but on that occasionI was particularly fast and in therace I struggled with a big group.It was the slowest race of the year,because if you see my pace in thepractices it was incredible, nobodycould follow me, but in the race Iwas thinking about so many things,and we had such a great fight, soit was the best race for me, thebest race to win and to becomeworld champion.

How do train?Six days a week. It's a job! My trai-ner is 80 and he is an old boxer, soI go to him every morning and helets me do different things everyday. So one morning I have to run,one I have to cycle, one I just haveboxing, or swimming. Sometimesit's only one hour but to the limit,the other day is 2 h 30 and it's ea-sier.

What do you in your spare time?I like to enjoy my spare time withmy family and my girlfriend and Ilike going out with her.

Do you train with motocross?I did some last year, but this year Ihave a new bike, I have to test onit. I think this is a good training forall riders, be on the bike you raceis the better thing, it's the besttraining. Of course I like motocross but I'mnot going to do much, because it'salso a bit dangerous.

Do you prefer riding on the dryor wet?I prefer riding on the dry, I'm quitefast on the wet but it's a bit risky,which I didn't like.

What is the bad moment of yourcareer you'll never forget?When I stopped racing with Lam-bretta, may be the bike was not re-ally fast but I had a great time withthe team. It was as if my dream ofriding in GPs was gone. In that mo-ment I was really down with racing.Then as I told you I started the Su-persport in Holland, which I didn'treally enjoy in the first race, butthe second time was fun, and I star-ted enjoying it.

Fiammetta La Guidara

26 FIM Europe Mag 1/2015