official programme

J E RE Z
S PA I N
OFFICIAL
P RO G R A M M E
GET THE
FIM
GALA
2015
APP
Contents
Vito Ippolito 5
FIM President
Lisa Leyland, Matthew Roberts 7
& Gavin Emmett
Masters of Ceremony
FIM Enduro Champions 9-19
FIM Cross-Country Rallies Champion 21-23
FIM Road Safety Award 25-27
FIM X-Trial & Trial Champions 29-35
FIM Track Racing Champions 37-47
FIM Environmental Award 49-51
FIM Motocross Champions 53-67
FIM Woman in Motorcycling Award 69-73
FIM Road Racing Champions 75-87
Chief Editor :
Isabelle Larivière
Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme
11, route Suisse - 1295 Mies - Suisse
Tel : +41-22 950 95 00 - Fax : +41-22 950 95 01
Email : [email protected]
Website : www.fim-live.com
Layout :
Cédric Zahnd
Printing :
Dilograf S.L.
C/ Crom nº 17-19, Cornellá de Llobregat
Barcelona 08940 (Spain)
The content of this publication is based
on the best knowledge and information available
at the time the FIM Gala Ceremony
programme was printed (19 November).
3
VISIT
THE OFFICIAL
FIM WEBSITE
ENDURO
GET CONNECTED
MXGP / SPEEDWAY
XTRIAL AND MUCH MORE...
TO
LATEST RESULTS
AND INSIGHTS
Vito
Ippolito
FIM President
“Firstly I would like to personally offer my warm welcome
to you to what is now the sixth edition of the FIM Gala
Ceremony, and the second time we have hosted this
event in Jerez de la Frontera. This beautiful Spanish city
which is the World Capital of Motorcycling and that has
such a long history of two-wheel racing. During this year
the city has hosted a wide variety of two-wheel activities
in addition to the FIM Gala Ceremony.
Again we arrive at this magical moment in the year, when
we come together as one big family to celebrate our FIM
Champions both individual and team – some new and
some returning, to recognise and reward our legends
and initiatives plus share witth the wider World our great
sport of Motorcycling via our global TV audiences.
During 2015, the FIM has inscribed more than 200
races covering 49 championships and alongside our
motorcycling heroes, I am pleased to say we are also
here to recognise and applaud the many road safety
and environmental projects and initiatives that have
taken place over the last twelve-months. Equally I am
delighted to welcome the introduction of the new
Award for Women in Motorcycling that has attracted
fifteen candidatures from four different continents, with
the aim of promoting and encouraging increased female
involvement and participation across all disciplines.
© FIM Archive
As always I cannot close without thanking our
champions, riders, teams, federations, clubs, organisers,
sponsors, supporters and many volunteers for their
continued work and commitment to our sport.
Thank you for being here in Jerez de la Frontera, and
for sharing this special occasion with the FIM and our
incredible motorcycling family.”
5
Lisa Leyland,
Matthew Roberts,
Gavin Emmett
Masters of Ceremony
Lisa Leyland has become the face of 2 wheeled Motorsports
over the last few seasons through her work on various FIM
World Championships. Born in London, Great Britain Lisa
is a Film and TV graduate who was always destined to be
a star of the small screen. Over the last eight years Lisa has
worked as a professional TV broadcaster in a number of
different and varied roles. Her face will already be familiar
to viewers around the globe with her having been the
presenter for the FIM Motocross World Championship, FIM
Endurance World Championship, the FIM International Six
Days Enduro and the FIM X-Trial World Championship. This
year she has also joined the team at ESPN and 4 wheeled
Motorsports hosting pre-race chat shows for the 2015
Formula One season. This is Lisa’s 3rd year hosting the FIM
Gala. An event she says she looks forward to all season !
Matt Roberts is currently the host of British Eurosport’s
live coverage of the FIM World Superbike Championship,
a role he took in 2014 having previously worked in the
MotoGP paddock since 2001. After several years working
as MotoGP’s lead commentator on the live world feed,
which was broadcast by a host of networks including
ESPN Star Sports (Asia), Fox Sports (Australia), SuperSport
(Africa) and Speed TV (USA), Matt joined the BBC in 2006,
working initially as pit-lane reporter before becoming main
anchor in 2011. A regular presenter of the MotoGP Awards
Ceremony in Valencia, Matt also translated the biography
of Jorge Lorenzo (‘My Story So Far’) from Spanish to English
and in 2013 he ghost wrote Casey Stoner’s autobiography
‘Pushing The Limits.’ This is Matt’s second time hosting the
FIM Gala Ceremony, having previously done so in 2013.
Gavin Emmett is an experienced sports broadcaster, well
known to motorcycle racing fans across the globe thanks
to his long association with MotoGP. He is currently a key
part of the presentation and commentary team on BT
Sport’s live coverage of MotoGP in the UK. Previously
as the world feed commentator Gavin was the voice of
the sport for many years in Australia, Asia, Africa and
America, also enjoying spells as an on-screen reporter with
BBC Sport in the UK and Speed TV in the USA, as well as
hosting the popular online magazine show ‘After The Flag’
for motogp.com. Gavin recently hosted the FIM MotoGP
Awards in Valencia, as he has done for several seasons.
© FIM Archive
7
Enduro
Guglielmo Andreini
FIM Enduro Legend
Tadeusz Błażusiak
FIM SuperEnduro World Champion
Australia
FIM International Six Days’ Enduro World Trophy
Australia
FIM International Six Days’ Enduro Junior World Trophy
Australia
FIM International Six Days’ Enduro Women’s Team
Jamie McCanney
FIM Junior Enduro World Champion
Eero Remes
FIM E1 Enduro World Champion
Antoine Meo
FIM E2 Enduro World Champion
Mathias Bellino
FIM E3 Enduro World Champion
9
Guglielmo
Andreini
Born on 12 September 1954 in Bergamo, Italy
FIM Enduro Legend
THE GOLDEN ITALIAN
Aged just sixteen years old Guglielmo began his
competitive career in 1970 whilst also working as an
apprentice mechanic amongst other jobs to support
his racing ambition. His efforts and talent were soon
to begin to develop with him taking the 100cc Italian
Junior Enduro Championship just a year later. However
his first real major success would come in 1978 when he
secured the 500c Italian Senior Enduro Championship,
which was to be a prelude to him taking his first of four
European Enduro titles twelve months later. Andreini
was to win all his European Championships in the mighty
500cc class.
© Archive Andreini Guglielmo
The late seventies were to be a golden era for the Italian
Enduro rider with him taking the class win at the FIM
International Six Days Enduro (ISDE) in 1977, 1978
and 1979 in three different classes – 250cc, 350cc and
500cc over this period respectively. Guglielmo was to
win a total of fifteen coveted gold medals during his
racing career, three of these being achieved when he was
part of the winning Italian national team in 1979, 1980
and 1986. On the first of these three occasions Andreini
also won the 500cc Italian Motocross Championship to
confirm himself as a great all round motorcycle racer.
After retiring from competition in 1989 Guglielmo
went on to be a mechanic in both World Superbike and
MotoGP for a succession of high profile riders.
11
Tadeusz
Błażusiak
Born on 26 April 1983 in Nowy Targ, Poland
FIM SuperEnduro World Champion
TADDY’S MAGICAL SIX
Further cementing himself into the record books,
Poland’s Tadeusz Blazusiak secured a record breaking
sixth consecutive FIM SuperEnduro World Championship
in 2015. Entering the new season as the rider to beat,
Blazusiak didn’t fail to disappoint. Making a last minute
switch to two-stroke machinery before the opening
round began on his home soil, the KTM rider still hit the
ground running.
Claiming three wins from three starts, Blazusiak
immediately established himself at the head of the
championship standings. And it would be a position he
never relinquished. From Germany to Finland and onto
South America before returning to Europe for the final
round of the season in France, the Polish rider led the
way.
Winning when he needed to and only once dropping as
low as fourth in eighteen races, Blazusiak confidently
controlled the championship from start to finish.
Wrapping things up with another podium result at the
GP of France, Blazusiak was awarded his sixth world
crown.
12
© ABC Communication
Australia
Team Manager : Don Atkins
Riders : Joshua Green – Yamaha, Daniel Milner – Yamaha,
Matthew Phillips – KTM, Beau Ralston – Yamaha, Lachlan
Stanford – Husqvarna, Glen Kearney – Husqvarna
FIM International Six Days’ Enduro
World Trophy
AUSTRALIA CLAIM FIRST EVER
ISDE WORLD TROPHY TEAM VICTORY
As the only leading nation in the World Trophy team
category to get all six of their team riders to the finish of
the Slovakian event, Australia claimed a historic winning
result finishing ahead of Italy and Finland.
© Dario Agrati
The USA headed the results at the end of day one,
helped by impressive performances from Kailub Russell
and Ryan Sipes. Positioning themselves at the top of the
overall World Trophy team competition the USA were
chased by Australia, who sat one minute and fourteen
seconds behind in second with France third. By the end
of day two the USA’s lead at the top was down to just
eight seconds.
Day three saw Australia move to the front, with
consistently strong performances from their team riders
ensuring that at the mid-way point of the race the riders
in green and gold were the ones to beat.
Days four and five saw Australia consolidate their position
at the top of the class, finishing ahead of Italy and Finland
respectively. Putting the finishing touches to a stand-out
week of racing Australia’s World Trophy team battled
their way through the sixth day’s final motocross races
to secure another winning team performance, and with
it claimed a historic first ever World Trophy team victory.
13
Australia
Team Manager : Chris Gray
Riders : Daniel Sanders – KTM, Broc Grabham – Sherco,
Tom Mason – KTM, Tye Simmonds – KTM
FIM International Six Days’ Enduro
Junior World Trophy
AUSTRALIA SECURE FIRST JUNIOR WIN
IN TWENTY YEARS
Ending a twenty-year winless streak, Australia won
the FIM Junior World Trophy team competition. From
the very beginning of the ISDE there was no doubting
Australia’s pace. Attacking from the off the four-rider
team of Broc Grabham – Sherco, Tom Mason – KTM,
Daniel Sander – KTM and Tye Simmonds – KTM opened
up a three-minute lead over Sweden and France on day
one.
Clearly enjoying the conditions, the Australian
youngsters showed no signs of slowing down on day
two and continued to edge away from the chasing pack.
Stretching their lead out to over six minutes on day two,
they then ended the third day eight minutes and thirtythree seconds ahead of second place Sweden.
Beginning the second half of the race in full control of
the Junior class, Australia began to set their sights on
the chequered flag. Topping the standings on days four
and five, they went on to win the sixth and final day of
racing to claim victory in the Junior World Trophy team
classification.
14
© Dario Agrati
Australia
Team Manager : Don Atkins
Riders : Jessica Gardiner – Sherco, Tayla Jones –
Yamaha, Jemma Wilson – Yamaha
FIM International Six Days’ Enduro
Women’s Team
NO STOPPING AUSTRALIA
Heavily tipped to deliver their third consecutive FIM
Women’s World Trophy team victory in the FIM
International Six Days Enduro, Australia didn’t disappoint.
Unchanged since they recorded their first ISDE victory in
2013, Australia’s trio of Jessica Gardiner – Sherco, Tayla
Jones – Yamaha and Jemma Wilson – Yamaha were the
clear winners in 2015.
© Dario Agrati
Head and shoulders above their nearest competitors,
Australia dominated the proceedings from start to
finish. Led by Jones, the trio won each and every day of
competition. Starting things out with a sizeable sevenminute and thirty-eight second margin of victory on day
one, Australia kept building on that advantage as the
weeklong race progressed.
Winning every day of competition with ease, the trio
rode across the finish line with almost fifty-six minutes
in hand over Sweden, comfortably recording their third
straight ISDE victory.
15
Jamie
McCanney
© Nuno Laranjeira
Born on 18 June 1994 in Douglas,
Isle of Man, Great Britain
FIM Junior Enduro World Champion
MCCANNEY TOPS THE JUNIORS
Claiming his first world championship, Britain’s Jamie
McCanney was crowned the 2015 FIM Junior Enduro
World Champion. After an injury hit 2014 season, the
Husqvarna rider came of age this season. Focused on
securing the title his brother Daniel won the previous
year, Jamie refused to settle for anything less than the
championship victory.
Kicking things off with a race win on the opening day
of the series in Chile, McCanney took control of the
championship lead and never looked back. Returning
to Europe for round two in Jerez, Spain, the young
Manxman claimed a double victory and further extended
his advantage over his closest rivals. Always looking
at the bigger picture, Jamie consistently clocked up a
healthy dose of points when those around him faltered.
Recording another three wins in Greece, Italy and
Belgium, while not dropping outside of the top two in six
races, McCanney arrived at the final round of the series
in France as the champion elect. With a virtual grasp on
his first world title, he settled for fourth on day one to be
crowned the 2015 Junior Enduro World Champion.
16
© Dario Agrati
Eero
Remes
Born on 15 July 1985 in Järvenpää, Finland
FIM E1 Enduro World Champion
REMES – WORLD CHAMPION FOR THE FIRST TIME
After many years of trying, Finland’s Eero Remes
became an FIM Enduro World Champion for the very
first time in 2015. Competing in the Enduro 1 category,
Remes ended the EWC series as the overall winner. The
culmination of a three-year partnership with the small
but mighty Italian manufacture TM Racing, Remes was
crowned champion at the season ending race in France.
Starting the year out as the underdog, Remes refused
to give way to defending E1 champion Christophe
Nambotin – KTM. As the only rider to beat Nambotin
in 2014, Remes knew that with more consistency in
his own program, securing his first world crown was a
realistic proposition.
Starting out with a race victory in Chile, Remes got
his year off on the right track. A pair of second place
results at round two in Spain handed some advantage
to Nambotin but the following weekend in Portugal,
Remes was back on the top step of the podium. Moving
onto Greece for round four and the halfway point in
the series, the TM Racing rider clicked things up a gear
and recorded his first double victory to level the scores.
Another win in Italy saw the Finn take control of the
championship standings.
© Dario Agrati
With another double win in Belgium, he stretched his lead
out and with just the final round in France left, Remes
was in the driving seat to become champion. Remaining
calm under pressure, Remes rode into the record books
as the 2015 E1 World Champion by claiming his ninth
win of the year.
17
Antoine
Meo
Born on 29 August 1984 in Digne, France
FIM E2 Enduro World Champion
FIFTH WORLD CROWN FOR MEO IN 2015
Antoine Meo returned to the top step of the FIM E2
Enduro World Championship podium to record his fifth
world title. After crashing out of the 2014 season with
a serious wrist injury, many questioned whether Meo
had both the physical and mental strength to win again.
Determined to silence those that doubted him, the KTM
rider arrived to the series opener in Chile fired up to
succeed.
Despite having not raced a round of the EWC in over
nine months, the Frenchman proved faster, smoother
and stronger than ever. Setting a pace few could match,
he claimed a confidence boosting double win before
returning back to Europe and matching that result with
another double victory in Spain. With four wins from
four starts, Meo was clearly the rider to beat in E2.
The following weekend in Portugal saw his first defeat
with a runner-up result on day one. But bouncing back
to win day two ensured his point’s advantage remain
unchanged. Round four in Greece saw him forced to
settle for the second step of the podium on both days
but with three race wins from four starts in Italy and
Belgium, Meo was all but assured of the title with just
the final round in France remaining. Easing his way to
second place on day one was more than enough for
the Frenchman to win the 2015 FIM E2 Enduro World
Championship – his fifth world title and a first for KTM
with their 350 EXC-f.
18
© Nuno Laranjeira
Mathias
Bellino
Born on 21 August 1991 in Carpentras, France
FIM E3 Enduro World Champion
BELLINO TAKES ENDURO 3 TITLE
Claiming his first senior FIM Enduro World Championship,
Frenchman Mathias Bellino was crowned the FIM
E3 Enduro World Champion in 2015. Plagued with
numerous injuries since storming to victory in the 2012
FIM Junior World Enduro Championship, Bellino finally
saw fortune turn in his favour. After a couple of seasons
on four-stroke machinery, Bellino’s switch to the
Husqvarna’s TE 300 two-stroke during the off season
saw him arrive at round one in Chile more competitive
and more determined for victory than ever.
Claiming a day one race win, Bellino clearly meant
business. At round two, he increased his win record with
a double victory to take control of the championship
lead. Losing out to defending champion Matthew Phillips
– KTM at round two in Portugal, Bellino made amends
by climbing back onto the top step of the podium twice
at round four in Greece.
© Nuno Laranjeira
Entering the home stretch of the championship, the
fight for E3 honours became a two-horse race between
Bellino and Phillips. In Italy Phillips led Bellino home
twice, but in Belgium it was Bellino who enjoyed the
spoils of victory both days and in gaining more points
than his rival, the championship now became his to
lose in France. Allowing Phillips to escape with the win,
second was more than enough for Bellino to be crowned
the 2015 FIM E3 Enduro World Champion.
19
“My bike helps me save lives every day.”
Bubacarr Jallow, a health worker in the Gambia
But every day in Africa children still die...
...because they don’t get the
health care they need.
To find out how to help get more
health workers on the road and
save lives visit www.riders.org
Riders for health, The drummonds, spring hill, Pitsford, Northampton, NN6 9AA, United Kingdom
T: +44 (0)1604 889 580
F: +44 (0)1604 889 595
e: [email protected]
UK RegisTeRed ChARiTy No. 1054565
Cross-Country Rallies
Franco Picco
FIM Cross-Country Rallies Legend
Matthias Walkner
FIM Cross-Country Rallies World Champion
21
Franco
Picco
Born on 4 October 1955 in Vicenza, Italy
FIM Cross-Country Rallies Legend
THE DESERT MASTER
Franco began his racing career riding motocross and
with some great effect with him taking the 250cc Italian
Junior Motocross Championship in 1976 before then
stepping up and repeating the same feat in the 500cc
Italian Senior Motocross Championship two years later.
Picco’s move to Cross-Country Rallies happened also by
accident, with his first motivation to become involved
in this very different discipline purely being to improve
his sand riding technique in order to become a better all
round motocross rider.
However his debut in the Dakar Rally back in 1985 was
to thrust him immediately into the limelight and change
the direction of his career forever as he competed at
the front of the field and went on to secure third spot
on the podium come the end of the gruelling adventure.
Picco’s best two results in the Dakar Rally were to come
a few years later as he twice finished as runner up in the
motorcycle class in 1988 and 1989.
Whilst never actually being able to win the ultimate
desert race, Franco was twice victorious at the equally
testing Pharaohs Rally in 1986 and 1991. From the mid
nineties through to 2003 Picco switched to racing on
four-wheels at the Dakar Rally before switching back to
two-wheels in 2010. 2016 will see Picco celebrate his
sixtieth year and thirty years of racing by racing a quad
in the Dakar Rally.
22
© Gigi Soldano
Matthias
Walkner
Born on 1 September 1986 in Kuchl, Austria
FIM Cross-Country Rallies World Champion
MATTHIAS WALKNER OF THE HISTORY
OF A METEORIC RISE!
If you are crazy about motorcycle sport and live km
from Mattighofen, where KTM has its headquarters, it
is hard to resist the siren call of Cross-Country Rallies.
Matthias Walkner started out in Moto-Cross, becoming
FIM Motocross MX3 World Champion in 2012. While
working as a test rider for KTM, he decided last year to
tackle another challenge and discovered the world of
Cross Country Rallies. In October 2014, he took part in
his very first rally in Morocco!
Having rubbed shoulders with Marc Coma, Cyril Després
and all the KTM team at the factory, he is familiar with
the discipline and has great respect for the riders who
have learned the art of managing terrain, speed and
navigation while maintaining a punishing pace. After
Morocco, he took part in his first Dakar last year, winning
the third special ahead of the big guns in the World’s
hardest event… He then put his foot on the first rung
of the ladder leading to success and the title. Now, with
this victory under his belt, he knows that he has found
his vocation.
But the young Austrian is not getting a swollen head. He
is moving forward steadily, at his own pace, measuring
his opportunities, his effort and his potential. Although
he is not always out to win, he focuses on constantly
improving his performance. In Sardinia, he won the
Rally and beat Marc Coma, who decided to hang up his
helmet and take up the post of Sports Director for the
Dakar. Matthias then found himself battling it out with
his team mate, Pablo Quintanilla. Surprised, his blue eyes
as round as marbles, he smiled and admitted that he’d
be happy to win but that he’d be just as happy to be the
runner up because he had already had the satisfaction
of a great season during which he was the only one to
beat Coma!
© RallyZone Baller-Barni
A big, well built lad with broad shoulders, at 29, when
he climbed on to the podium at the 2015 Morocco rally
to the applause of his peers, Matthias Walkner was like
a child gazing in wonder at a Christmas tree. After 5
races, he had become FIM Cross Country Rallies World
Champion, a worthy victory for a young rider who lights
up this discipline with his smile.
23
Misano 1000 is the new Dainese jacket incorporating a standalone
electronic airbag system for use on the road.
The new D-skin 2.0 leather jacket houses the system’s 6 sensors,
electronics and GPS in its integral back protector, dispensing with the need
for you to install a kit on your bike.
The D-air® control unit monitors the sensor signals 800 times a second
using a sophisticated triggering algorithm which can then deploy the
airbag to full inflation in just 25 milliseconds.
THE FUTURE OF PROTECTION IS IN D-AIR®.
Available from authorised D-air® dealers from November.
dainese.com
#dainesecrew
FIM Road Safety
Award 2015
Tony Rich & the AA campaign
2015 “Think Bikes”
© AA
25
Tony Rich &
the AA campaign
2015 marks the sixth edition of the FIM Road Safety
award. The award recognises associations, individuals
or organisations that have made an outstanding
contribution to motorcycling safety on the road.
Ken Morgan from Canada. Ken was nominated by the
CMA (Canadian Motorcyclist Association which is the
FIM member, and supported by the Canada Safety
Council). Ken recently retired after a lifetime dedicated to
rider training. He was elected to the Canadian Motorcycle
Hall of Fame for his work. He has also received the
recognition of the Canadian government for his work in
road safety being awarded the Queen Elizabeth Jubilee
medal and later the Diamond Jubilee medal.
From Switzerland we received the work of our federation
the FMS together with the bfu – Swiss Accident
Prevention Council.
This year the award goes to Tony Rich. He was nominated
by President Edmund King of the AA. Tony devised the
concept for a new “Think Bikes” campaign to sensitise
drivers to make use of the side mirrors as well as the
main mirror. The importance of the side mirror is known
to professional drivers, but frequently forgotten by many
motorists. The campaign in the UK was so successful
that it has been taken up by the FIA in Region One to
extend it across Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
It is simple. Two small stickers (one showing a motorcycle,
the other a cycle) are used on the side mirrors, or can
be added to the interior of the car. It is perfect for all
countries whether driving is on the left or the right side
of the road. The cycle sticker is for the passenger side of
the car – the motorcycle sticker the driver side. As driving in the UK is on the left Tony has added the
bicycle sticker to the left side mirror and the motorcycle
one is on the other side.
2015 also saw a change in the way this award is
administered. FIM decided to give publicity via Facebook
and our internet site to all nominees. The other two were:
26
This was for their work together in a national
campaign directed to riders called: “Stayin’ Alive.”
This is a multimedia campaign which has gained great
prominence in Switzerland. Chairman of the FIM Awards
and Recognition Committee Mr A Witkowski praised it
as an example to other FIM Federations ! The award is made by an independent panel of judges
and FIM is grateful for their help. They are :
Mr Antonio Avenoso
Executive Director
European Transport Safety Council
Mr Tim Buche
President and CEO
Motorcycle Safety Foundation of the USA
Dr Luciano Iorio
Chair, Road Safety Working Party (WP1)
United Nations Economic Commission for Europe
Dr Rohit Baluja
President
Indian Institute of Road Traffic Education
Dr –Ing. Achim Kuschefski
Director
Institute for Motorcycle Safety
Germany
2015 “Think Bikes”
© AA
27
X-Trial
Mick Andrews
FIM Trial Legend
Toni Bou
FIM X-Trial World Champion
Trial
Great Britain
FIM Women’s Trial des Nations
Emma Bristow
FIM Women’s Trial World Champion
Spain
FIM Trial des Nations
Toni Bou
FIM Trial World Champion
29
Mick
Andrews
Born on 5 July 1944 in Buxton, England
FIM Trial Legend
THE GREAT BRITISH TRIAL MAGICIAN
Originating from the hills of the Peak District Mick
‘Magical’ Andrews as he was to become affectionately
known was raised in a region that is home to some
of Britain’s best Trial terrain. Therefore it was no real
surprise that Mick was to go on to become one of his
country’s best ever Trial riders, which itself is a feat
where you share the same nationality as fellow Trial
legends Sammy Miller, Malcolm Rathmell and Martin
Lampkin to mention just a few such names.
One of Andrew’s strengths throughout his long and
illustrious career was his bike development expertise
and this was to be at the core of his two European
Championships he won in 1971 and 1972 aboard
an Ossa machine that was very much a result of his
technical input. The early to mid seventies was to be a
strong period for Mick with him also winning the World
famous Scottish Six Days Trial (SSDT) on five occasions
from 1970 to 1975 with only Rathmell breaking his
incredible winning run in 1973. The last of Andrew’s
SSDT victories was on a Yamaha, again a bike designed
and developed by the man himself, and was to be the
first for a Japanese manufacturer.
Latterly Andrews became equally famous for his Trial
training schools, which he has conducted all over
the World and have included students such as Kevin
Schwantz, Wayne Gardner and Debbie Evans. Mick
continues to ride today, some fifty-five years after he
first began and with more than two thousand victories
to his name.
30
© Archive Mick Andrews
Toni
Bou
Born on 17 October 1986 in Piera, Spain
FIM X-Trial World Champion
KING TONI REIGNS AGAIN
Toni Bou – Repsol Honda continued his domination
of the FIM Indoor / X-Trial World Championship as he
notched up his ninth successive title in a discipline that
he has very much made his own over the last decade.
That said Toni’s amazing unbeaten run that dated back
to the start of the 2010 season was brought to an end as
he tasted defeat indoors for the first time in five years as
Adam Raga – Gas Gas recorded an historic victory over
his arch rival at the third round of the 2015 series in Pau,
France.
© Good-Shoot
This was to prove to be the first of two losses for King
Toni, as he was then demoted to third spot at the final
encounter in Oviedo, Spain, however neither was to
prove decisive as the Repsol rider had romped to a ninth
title by the penultimate event held in Wiener Neustadt,
Austria. In the six rounds that formed the 2015 FIM
X-Trial World Championship, Bou won the four remaining
battles including the biggest stop of the tour at his home
GP in Barcelona, Spain much to the noisy delight of his
thousands of fans that packed the ex Olympic facility set
high above the city.
31
Great
Britain
Team Manager : Jonathan Blount
Riders : Emma Bristow – Sherco, Rebekah Cook – Jgas,
Donna Fox – Sherco
FIM Women’s Trial des Nations
HAT TRICK FOR GREAT BRITAIN’S WOMEN
Great Britain recorded a third victory in a row and
their sixth in total at the 2015 FIM Women’s Trial des
Nations. The British trio was led by 2015 FIM Women’s
Trial World Champion Emma Bristow – Sherco who was
joined by Rebekah Cook – Jgas and Donna Fox – Sherco
as they ran out eventual winners by twenty marks, but
only after having been pushed hard by eventual runners
up Germany. The German line up of Theresa Bauml –
Ossa, Mona Pekarek – Sherco and Ina Wilde – Gas Gas
trailed Great Britain by just a single mark on the first lap,
but saw their challenge fade during the latter stages.
Perhaps feeling the pressure, the German women
faltered on their second visit to the fifteen sections and
in the end just managed to hold on to second spot as
both Spain and France closed in on them. The battle for
the last remaining podium place was a fierce and tight
affair with the Spanish squad of Mireia Conde – Beta,
Berta Abellan – Sherco and Elisabet Solera – Gas Gas
finally snatching third position by a single mark from
their French rivals after thirty sections in total had been
ridden by all nine nations who took part in this female
team competition.
32
© Andy Greig, G2F Media
Emma
Bristow
Born on 29 October 1990 in Boston, Great Britain
FIM Women’s Trial World Champion
BRISTOW RETAINS HER CROWN
Emma Bristow – Sherco successfully defended the title
she won for the first time twelve months ago, as she
claimed the FIM Women’s Trial World Championship for
a second season in a row. Prior to her initial success in
the series in 2014, Bristow had finished as runner up for
the previous three seasons and therefore obviously had
extra motivation to retain a title she had worked so hard
for over a prolonged period. However the now twentyfive year old had to carry the added burden that comes
with defending any World title.
The extra pressure was to show as early as the opening
day of the first round in Sokolov, Czech Republic as
Bristow’s nervous performance was to see her suffer
an unwanted defeat to her compatriot and bitter rival
Rebekah Cook - Jgas, who again was to emerge as
Emma’s closest challenger. The Sherco rider was quick
to re-establish herself at the top of the standings as she
recorded a resounding victory just twenty-four hours
later, before then going on to remain unbeaten over
the remaining two rounds and three counting days to
deservedly hold on to her crown.
© Andy Greig, G2F Media
With the best three from five results determining the
final rankings, Cook was a worthy runner up in the series
as Donna Fox – Sherco made a sensational return to the
championship to make it an all British top three in the
general standings.
33
Spain
Team Manager : Salvador Garcia
Riders : Toni Bou – Repsol Honda, Albert Cabestany –
Sherco, Jeroni Fajardo – Beta, Adam Raga – Gas Gas
FIM Trial des Nations
SPAIN MAKE IT TWELVE IN A ROW
For the twelfth year in a row it was the all conquering
Spanish team consisting of Toni Bou – Repsol Honda,
Adam Raga – Gas Gas, Jeroni Fajardo – Beta and Albert
Cabestany – Sherco secured the FIM Trial des Nations
title without any real challenge. Marking their twentysecond victory in total, Spain’s latest triumph was never
in question as they ended the event an incredible eightynine marks ahead of France’s quartet of Alexandre Ferrer
– Sherco, Quentin Carles de Caudemberg – Beta, Loris
Gubian – Gas Gas and Benoit Dagnicourt – Beta
This represented France’s best result since they last
finished as runners up on American soil way back in
1992. Making their first appearance in the competition
since 2011, Japan’s return was warmly welcomed
and was marked in style as Takahisa Fujinami – Repsol
Honda, Tomoyuki Ogawa – Honda, Tsuyoshi Ogawa –
Beta and Akira Shibata – Honda seized the last podium
position in the World Championship class.
Japan’s gain was Great Britain’s loss as they failed
to finish in the top three for the first time since 1992,
ironically the same year that France last took the runners
up position. The British foursome of James Dabill –
Vertigo, Jack Sheppard – Jgas, Alexz Wigg – Gas Gas
and Sam Haslam – Gas Gas never looked comfortable
on the dry and dusty terrain and had to be content with
fourth spot on the day. Italy and Norway rounded out
the World Championship class, as these two nations
finished fifth and sixth respectively.
34
© Andy Greig,
© FIM
G2FArchive
Media
Toni
Bou
Born on 17 October 1986 in Piera, Spain
FIM Trial World Champion
BOU EXTENDS HIS RECORD WITH NINTH TITLE
Toni Bou – Repsol Honda continued to rewrite the
history books as he secured a record extending ninth
FIM Trial World Championship to set himself on another
level to those champions that had gone before him. 2015
saw Toni move two clear of the seven outdoor titles
previously achieved by both Jordi Tarres and Dougie
Lampkin. On this occasion Bou’s path to the crown was
far less complicated than twelve months before, with his
perennial challenge and eventual runner up in the series
yet again Adam Raga – Gas Gas failing to prevent Toni
sealing title number nine with a round still remaining.
© Andy Greig, G2F Media
In terms of setting out his intention to add to his already
packed trophy cabinet, Bou could not have made a
better start to the 2015 FIM Trial World Championship
as he notched up nine wins on the bounce that started
on the opening day of the first round in Japan and
continued through to the fifth counting event in France.
Whilst Raga briefly interrupted Toni’s supremacy with a
mini fight back and three wins of his own in a row, Bou
was soon back in control with double victories in the
USA and Portugal. The latter of these triumphs being
sufficient for him to wrap up the championship ahead of
the season finale at his home GP in Spain.
35
Track Racing
Ole Olsen
FIM Track Racing Legend
Russia
FIM Team Ice Speedway Gladiators World Champion
Dmitry Koltakov
FIM Ice Speedway Gladiators World Champion
Great Britain
FIM Team Long Track World Champion
Jannick de Jong
FIM Long Track World Champion
Poland
FIM Team Speedway Under 21 World Champion
Bartosz Zmarzlik
FIM Speedway Under 21 World Champion
Sweden
FIM Speedway World Cup
Tai Woffinden
FIM Speedway Grand Prix World Champion
37
Ole
Olsen
Born on 16 November 1946 in Haderslav, Denmark
FIM Track Racing Legend
THE GREAT DANE OF SPEEDWAY
From the moment that he first sat astride a motorcycle
it seems that Ole was destined to make his mark on all
aspects of a sport that he continues to hold close to his
heart and remain heavily involved with as he approaches
his seventieth birthday.
Ole was the first Dane to win an FIM Speedway World
Championship, his tally of FIM world titles includes three
individual, one Long Track, one Pairs Championship and
three as captain of the Danish team in the FIM World
Team Cup. This is in addition to winning the Danish
Championship seven times along with numerous
individual competitions during a career that lasted until
his retirement from racing in 1983.
© Archive Ole Olsen
Ole also turned his hand to promotion when he designed
and constructed his own track in Vojens close to his native
Haderslav. This has become a mecca for speedway fans
from Denmark and all over Europe and has hosted many
major events over the past 40 years.
He was instrumental in the setting up of the Speedway
World Championship Grand Prix series in 1995 and
became its first Race Director. Olsen was further
recognised by the FIM with the award of a Motorcycle
Merit Gold Medal at the Congress in Rio de Janeiro in
1988, one of only two speedway riders to ever receive
this honour.
39
Russia
Team Manager : Ivan Ivanov
Riders : Dmitry Khomitsevich, Nikolay Krasnikov , Daniil
Ivanov
FIM Team Ice Speedway Gladiators
World Champion
THE RUSSIAN BEAR STILL IN CONTROL
The Russian team have been superior for many years
in this competition and started this meeting as firm
favourites so it was no surprise that they took their 33rd
title in the March sunshine in Berlin although by a margin
of only two points and it was not until Heat 41 that their
victory was confirmed.
The race formula involves seven teams of two riders plus
a reserve and nations ride as pairs throughout the event
to encourage team riding. During the two day event
teams meet each other twice and this system benefits
the weaker nations who can more easily field two
riders of world class to compete with the Russians and
generates interesting competition for the lower places.
The experienced Austrian pairing of Franz Zorn and
Harald Simon had started in sensational fashion by
leading the Russians from the start when they first met
and it was only a superb ride from Krasnikov and a last
bend third place by Ivanov that gave the advantage to the
champions and helped them towards a four point lead
at the end of the first day. Zorn and Simon continued to
apply pressure on Sunday afternoon although an early
disqualification for Simon dented their chances and they
fell two points short of the Russians’ score.
40
© David Raygondeau
Dmitry
Koltakov
Born on 6 December 1990 in Kurgan, Russia
FIM Ice Speedway Gladiators
World Champion
A MAIDEN TITLE FOR DMITRY
Dmitry Koltakov was crowned Motul FIM Ice Speedway
Gladiators World Champion for 2015 when he finally
collected the Gold Medal in Inzell, Germany in March
but the story of his success started, and could well have
finished, at the end of December last year in Togliatti.
In the first round of the Russian Individual title he clashed
with his Ufa teammate and mentor Nikolai Krasnikov
and was rushed to hospital with what was reported
to be a broken right leg fearing that his championship
chances were over. Thankfully the injury proved to be
less serious but there were still major doubts as to his
fitness when he lined up for the opening Final of the
World Championship in Moscow only one month later.
These doubts were quickly dismissed as Dmitry took 35
points from the meeting, beaten only by Krasnikov who
was making his only appearance this year as a Wild Card.
With defending champion Daniil Ivanov finishing in sixth
place Dmitry had established a significant advantage.
© Good-Shoot
Koltakov may have had some misgivings about returning
to Togliatti where Final 2 was held and he certainly
experienced a bruising weekend. After finishing third on
the first day he was twice bundled into the safety barrier
then found himself disqualified from the Final after
serving up similar treatment in a hectic drive to the finish
line. However his 41 points ensured that he remained
joint leader at the end of the meeting.
Wins in Almaty and Assen consolidated his lead and
made the final round in Germany a formality with
Dmitry completing his season with a 27 point advantage
over the former champion Ivanov to join the long list of
champions from Russia.
41
Great
Britain
Team Manager : Mitch Godden
Riders : Richard Hall, Glen Phillips, Andrew Appleton,
James Shanes
FIM Team Long Track World Champion
FIRST GOLD FOR THE BRITS
Great Britain are FIM Team Long Track World Champions
for the first time after beating holders Germany in a nailbiting finale to a memorable meeting Muhldorf. The
British team were brilliantly led by Richard Hall who
was unbeaten by an opponent throughout and only a
mechanical failure in his second ride prevented him from
scoring a full maximum.
Hosts Germany had been expected to retain the title
they had lost only once in the history of the competition
but despite holding the lead during the early stages the
pre meeting favourites saw their grip on the trophy
slip away as the British team raced to victory in the
final heat to secure the one point advantage needed.
Needing 10 points to secure victory hero Hall nosed in
front of Dutchman Jannick De Jong and with Phillips
and Appleton holding on to the minor placings their ten
points secured an historic championship win for Great
Britain.
It was a particularly poignant moment for British Team
Manager Mitch Godden as his side collected for the first
time the Don Godden Trophy named after his legendary
father.
42
© Ubo Bandy
Jannick
de Jong
Born on 7 June 1987 in Drachten, The Netherlands
FIM Long Track World Champion
A SEASON TO REMEMBER
Jannick De Jong became the first ever rider from the
Netherlands to win a track racing world title when
he took the title in a tension packed concluding round
in Morizes, France in September but he left it until the
final race of the season to confirm his superiority over
defending champion Erik Riss who had beaten him into
second place in 2014.
© Ubo Bandy
The 28 year old machine operator had started this season
slowly and was trailing in fifth place after the opening
round but a stronger performance in his home event in
Eenrum saw him close in on Riss and former champion
Joonas Kylmakorpi. A season-ending back injury ruled
Kylmakorpi out of contention and Jannick maintained
his consistency but as the final round beckoned, he
was still two points behind his young German rival. In
a reversal of the 2014 final, it was De Jong who held his
nerve and with Riss dropping points it was left to Jannick
to seal his maiden Long Track World Championship with
a storming ride to win the Final. In doing so he added
this to the European Long Track title he had previously
won, making this a season to remember for the young
Dutchman.
43
Poland
Team Manager : Rafal Dobrucki
Riders : Maksym Drabik, Piotr Pawlicki, Bartsosz
Zmarzlik, Pawel Przedpelski
FIM Team Speedway Under 21
World Champion
POLISH YOUNG GUNS TOP THE WORLD
The Under 21 Team Final was held in Australia for the
first time with a historic meeting in Mildura in October.
Holders Poland were expected to be given a tough
defence battle by the Danes and the home team but they
ran out comfortable winners to take the championship
for an unprecedented eighth time.
With temperatures rising to around 30 degrees and
on a challenging track the Poles adapted best to the
conditions and provided 15 of the heat winners in the 20
race format. New Under 21 individual World Champion
Bartosz Zmarzlik looked supreme and was unbeaten
with 15 points, a score matched by fellow Grand Prix
aspirant Piotr Pawlicki.
Runners up Denmark will have been disappointed by this
result but were unfortunate to lose Anders Thomsen
who withdrew after two rides suffering from dehydration
and the effects of the heat. Nikolai B Jacobsen was the
Danish star scoring 15 hard earned points from six rides
and Mikkel Bech bagged 14 points including a Joker ride.
Home team Australia took third place and were
surprisingly unable to match the Poles or Danes despite
their home track advantage and local support. Skipper
Nick Morris provided their only heat win when he took
six points in his Heat 11 Joker outing. The Aussies had
been expected to make a much stronger challenge to
the top two and they will take little consolation from
the fact that this bronze medal was their first ever in this
competition.
So it was the Polish team who took the trophy back to
Europe having demonstrated the strength in depth that
the country possesses and confirmed a secure future of
the national team at both junior and senior level.
44
© Christopher Horne
Bartosz
Zmarzlik
Born on 12 April 1995 in Szczecin, Poland
FIM Speedway Under 21 World Champion
THE NEXT GOLLOB?
© Jarek Pabijan
Bartosz Zmarzlik became the latest product of a
seemingly unending stream of young Polish talent when
he won the Under 21 World Championship in Pardubice,
Czech Republic. This is the fifth consecutive year that
a Polish rider has won this championship as the Poles
continue to introduce new talent to the world stage. The
Danish entries had threatened to break this domination
but a disastrous performance in the Lublin round left
them with only their pride to salvage.
For Bartosz this was another success in what has proved
to be a very eventful season which has included a gold
medal as part of the Polish Under 21 Team which took
the World title and a strong Wild Card performance
at the Speedway Grand Prix round in Gorzow. He also
gained thousands of new admirers with his gesture of
donating his prize money from the Grand Prix to the
Darcy Ward Foundation in aid of his injured fellow racer.
Mentored by Polish legend Tomasz Gollob who tips him
as his possible successor, Bartosz will undoubtedly turn
many heads on and off the track as he tries to live up to
this prediction.
45
Sweden
Team Manager : Morgan Andersson
Riders : Antonio Lindback, Andreas Jonsson, Linus
Sundstrom, Freddie Lindgren
FIM Speedway World Cup
FUNDIN TROPHY BACK IN SWEDEN
Once again the Speedway World Cup provided excellent
racing in Vojens, Denmark with another last heat decider
to determine the destiny of the Ove Fundin Trophy.
In one of the best World Cup finals of recent years,
underdogs Sweden overcame some early setbacks and
accepted some slices of speedway luck to take their first
SWC title since 2004.
Holders Denmark had been expected to win the meeting
on their home soil against close rivals Poland who were
without injured captain Jarek Hampel. However it was
the Swedes who were intent on spoiling the Danes
party but with only two races to go they trailed by four
points before fate stepped in to deal two heart breaking
blows to the hosts. An engine failure for Kenneth Bjerre
and a disqualification for last year’s hero Nils Kristian
Iversen, gave Freddie Lindgren and Andreas Jonsson the
opportunity to win the trophy, chances that the boys in
yellow and blue grasped with both hands.
Their win was a reward too for first year manager
Morgan Andersson whose laid back attitude surprised
some observers but had inspired a team spirit amongst
the whole squad and was vindicated by their welcome
win to end their barren spell on the world’s stage.
46
© SpeedwayGPcom
Tai
Woffinden
Born on 10 August 1990 in Scunthorpe, Great Britain
FIM Speedway Grand Prix World Champion
A STEP CLOSER TO GREATNESS
© SpeedwayGPcom
It has been said that although winning a World
Championship is not easy, securing the title for a second
time is even harder. Tai Woffinden will be able to add his
own views to this observation after becoming the first
Englishman to win a second individual world title since
the great Peter Craven in 1962. Tai was first crowned
World Champion in 2013 but his defence in the following
year was marred by injury and misfortune and his season
ended by losing a run off for the bronze medal to his arch
rival Nicki Pedersen.
The winter close season saw a determined Woffinden
upgrade his training regime and by the start of 2015
he was better prepared both mentally and physically
for another crack at the title. With a strong technical
team to support him he was clearly the fastest rider
in the series, a point acknowledged by his rivals, and
his calm approach to each meeting and refusal to be
daunted by the occasional slip made him a favourite
from the start. After the second round in Finland he
had established a lead which he never relinquished and
had a sufficient points advantage to confirm his hold
on the championship in Torun before the final round in
Melbourne.
© Nuno Laranjeira
Despite his busy racing schedule he continued his
commitment to charitable causes and by mid-season
had achieved his target of raising £100,000 for the world
famous Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children with
the help of his fellow riders and fans.
At 25 years of age, Tai makes no secret of his ambition to
become a multi world title holder and to join the select
band of those riders who have achieved speedway
greatness. This year he is one step closer to reaching
that goal.
47
@FIM_live
Follow our Green Ambassadors
on twitter:
Laia Sanz, Takahisa Fujinami,
Alex Salvini, Marc Márquez
& Randy de Puniet.
FIM
Environmental
Award
Federació Motociclista d’Andorra
(FMA)
© Andy Greig, G2F Media
49
2015 FIM 2015
The FIM Environmental Award has been presented annually since 1997 to recognise individuals, National Motorcycle Federations, Continental Unions, clubs,
organisers, manufacturers or other organisations that have made a significant
contribution to enhance environmental awareness in the field of motorcycling.
This year’s winner is the National Motorcycle Federation
of Andorra (FMA), who for the first time joined the KiSS
Programme (Keep it Shiny and Sustainable) as part of
the FIM Trial World Championship event they organised
in the small principality, which sits in the heart of the
Pyrenees.
This is the second time that this award has been won
by this small National Federation, their previous success
coming in 2013. On both occasions the award has extra
relevance considering the organisation only has fifteen
members all of whom are volunteers and who receive no
subsidy from the Government for environmental issues.
The KiSS Programme was initially conceived back in 2013
and has previously concentrated on MotoGP circuits, so
it was a huge challenge for this National Federation to
be able to deliver such a project at an offroad event high
in the mountains where the environmental impact of
sporting activities is at its most sensitive.
This KiSS Programme is designed to bring together
various actions under one umbrella that incorporates
more elements for the sustainability of the sport and
50
promotes the participation of all sectors, perhaps most
importantly and especially the spectators who attend in
their thousands.
The National Motorcycle Federation of Andorra has
organised world-class events for many years, where
the discipline of Trial brings the sport directly in contact
with nature. Over the years the federation has developed
practices that allow the sport and nature to work in
harmony to produce overall an economic and social
benefit to the local area.
Jill Savery, FIM Environmental Award jury member
expressed: “This project has been a great success. Several innovative outreach strategies were used to
communicate to the public and engage athletes. Since
this is the first time this programme (KiSS) has been used
at a Trial event, it shows that it can be done, and others
can try it as well. In this respect it is innovative, and can
be replicated by other Federations and event organisers.”
Environmental Award
© Andy Greig, G2F Media
Kattia Hernandez, FIM Director International
Environment Commission ended by saying. “We had had
a fantastic season full of green events. I’m very pleased
for all the help received from all the FIM family. Every year
I can see more and more our stakeholders being more
aware about the importance of organizing sustainable
events. I would also like to say a big thanks to our FIM
Environmental Ambassadors team, who during the
year has shown their commitment with the Ride Green
Programme. In the world of sustainability everyone is a
winner, as I used to say at the end of the day we are living
in the same house and riding on the same track !”
51
C
S
N
O
I
T
A
L
U
T
A
R
G
ON
CHA
!
S
N
O
I
P
M
MPION
VRE
B
A
E
H
F
C
N
D
I
ROMA MXGP WORL
2015 FIM
2015 FIM
JSER
TIM GA ION
AMP
H
C
D
L
R
MX2 WO
Motocross
Heikki Mikkola
FIM Motocross Legend
Marcus Ogemar-Hellgren
FIM SnowCross World Champion
France
FIM SuperMoto of Nations
Thomas Chareyre
FIM S1GP SuperMoto World Champion
Maikel Melero / David Rinaldo
FIM FreeStyle Motocross World Champion
Raivo Dankers
FIM 85cc Junior Motocross World Champion
Maxime Renaux
FIM 125cc Junior Motocross World Champion
Etienne Bax & Kaspars Stupelis
FIM Sidecar Motocross World Champions
Kiara Fontanesi
FIM Women’s Motocross World Champion
Ryan Dungey
AMA Supercross FIM World Champion
France
FIM Motocross of Nations
Tim Gajser
FIM MX2 Motocross World Champion
Romain Febvre
FIM MXGP Motocross World Champion
53
Heikki
Mikkola
Born on 6 July 1945 in Mikkeli, Finland
FIM Motocross Legend
THE FLYING FINN
Heikki Mikkola or the ‘Flying Finn’ as he was
affectionately known won the FIM 500cc Motocross
World Championship three times – 1974, 1977 and
1978, he also took the FIM 250cc Motocross World
Championship in 1976 to tally his gold medals to four
in total. Recognised for his fierce and determined riding
style, Mikkola was the first ever-Finnish rider to win an
FIM Motocross World Championship.
His first World title in 1974 will perhaps be remembered
as his finest when aboard his factory Husqvarna he
defeated defending champion Roger DeCoster in what
remains one of the closest battles in the history of the
championship.
Two years later in 1976, again riding for Husqvarna
Heikki followed up his 500cc success by also winning the
FIM 250cc Motocross World Championship to become
the first ever rider to achieve this feat. Yamaha were to
sign the services of Mikkola the following season and
he was to reward the Japanese manufacturer with two
further FIM 500cc Motocross World Championships
over the next two years – 1977 and 1978.
Heikki sadly and suddenly retired from the sport aged
thirty-four after he finished fifth in the 1979 500cc
series. Mikkola will always be remembered as one of the
most feared riders ever to grace World motocross.
54
© FIM Archive
Marcus
Ogemar
Hellgren
Born on 14 September 1993 in Oestersund, Sweden
FIM SnowCross World Champion
SWEDEN DOMINATES THE FIM SNOWCROSS
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
The 2015 edition of the FIM Snowcross World
Championship was almost a “No Show” when the
Finnish organiser in Tuuri backed out. The event was
relocated in extremis to Älvsbyn in Sweden.
Defending two-time FIM World Champion Adam
Renheim and last year’s 7th placed Marcus OgemarHellgren were both front runners in their respective Free
Practice sessions. In the Qualifying Practices, it was still
Renheim dominating his group but former FIM World
Champion Emil Öhman, who had been sitting out the
previous sessions, created a surprise by all of the sudden
powering to first place in the other group, dislodging
Ogemar-Hellgren from the top of the leaderboard and
relegating him to second place.
© Roger Strandber
In the Qualifying Heat, Renheim had to settle for sixth
whereas the pair of Öhman and Ogemar Hellgren took
first and second again. A sign of things to come?
Eriksson took the lead in front of Ogemar-Hellgren and
narrowly escaped a massive pile up in the first turn which
put Renheim and Öhman out of contention. The number
seven then quickly pushed his way to the front and never
looked back, gradually opening up a gap between him
and the rest of the pack. It was an emotional finish for
Ogemar-Hellgren and another gold medal for Sweden!
But Swedish riders also took “silver” and “bronze”
making it an all “Svenska” podium!
55
France
Riders : Thomas Chareyre, Adrien Chareyre, Sylvain
Bidart
FIM SuperMoto of Nations
FRANCE, WHO ELSE?
France was the first European country to welcome
SuperMoto on its soil and has continued its love story
with the sport ever since. Thomas Chareyre aside,
the French riders may have deserted the FIM World
Championship to concentrate on their domestic series,
but they proved once again that - when racing as a team
- they are still the “powerhouse” to beat.
True, they had to fight for it with their traditional Italian
rivals. The Azzuri were not about to hand victory to their
opponents without a fierce battle. Moreover, with the
event being organised on home soil in Jesolo, it was a
question of national pride.
To bar the Frenchmen’s route to victory, they fielded
a solid team consisting of Ivan Lazzarini, Christian
Ravaglia and Andrea Occhini. And indeed, as of the
Qualifying Races, it was all about France-Italy. Just like
their Motocross colleagues, the French dominated the
Qualifying Races with three victories. Italy came in
second with 2-2-3 scores.
After Race 1, both teams were equal in points. That gave
the Italian fans something to cheer for. Even better, with
four results counted after Race 2, the home team took a
narrow 2 points lead despite the fact that a French rider
had always been in front and taken race victory. So, it
was all down to Race 3! Thomas Chareyre took victory
and with five out of six results counting, France was on
top again, beating the Italians by 2 points. The overjoyed
Czech team of Pavel Kejmar, Milan Sitniansky and Petr
Vorlicek was a distant third.
56
© Racing-Pixx.de
Thomas
Chareyre
Born on 18 March 1988 in Alès, France
© GerwinMXFoto
FIM S1GP SuperMoto World Champion
CHAREYRE BREAKS WITH HABIT
Thomas Chareyre had won his three previous FIM World
Championships in “even” years; 2010, 2012, 2014.
Would he be able to buck the trend and take the world
title in an “odd” year, or was he doomed to wait another
year to add a fourth crown to his tally?
One man who the firm intention of stopping the French
rider from winning back to back victories was 2013
Champ Mauno Hermunen. He won the opening round
convincingly, immediately creating a 10 point gap with
his opponent. But Chareyre struck back in the next
round, taking the lead in the series by a narrow margin of
2 points. However, it did not last because Hermunen put
in four consecutive wins and added an 100 extra points
to his account in the next four races whereas Chareyre
could score only 74 points. Not only was he being
dominated by the Flying Finn, he was now also within
shooting range of Ivan Lazzarini and SuperMoto regular
Lukas Höllbacher.
© SupermotoS1
Unfortunately, Hermunen suffered a back injury during
motocross training which took him out for the remainder
of the season. Would this open the door wide open to
a fourth World crown for Chareyre? Not immediately,
because Lazzarini and Höllbacher were still in the hunt.
But Thomas kept his calm, gradually increasing his lead.
He may have lost battles in the last six races but in the
end he won the war. Racing is not all about speed alone;
the would-be champion also needs to be a tactician.
57
Maikel
Melero
Born on 25 January 1988 in Albacete, Spain
David
Rinaldo
Born on 18 December 1989 in Forbach, France
FIM FreeStyle Motocross World Champion
MELERO - RINALDO ; THE BATTLE OF THE TITANS
The 2015 Championship has been a close battle between
defending Champion Maikel Melero and challenger David
Rinaldo. Rinaldo, who sustained a severe hand injury at the
last round of the 2013 series that saw him miss part of the
2014 season and shattered his dreams of clinching back to
back Championships, is back! And make no mistake, the
friendly French rider was out to claim back the throne. The
two finals in the season opener in Berlin (Germany) were
both won by Melero with Rinaldo in hot pursuit.
Round 3 in Krakow (Poland) turned sour for Rinaldo who
was grounded by an airline strike and missed out on the
day. Melero scored another victory and made it three on
three. Rinaldo barely made it to the start on the second
day and went into battle without any practice, stunning
the competition by finishing on top. This must have
unsettled Melero who made some mistakes, finishing 5th.
© NightOfTheJumps
The next round was Jerez (Spain) but it was not to be for
Melero ; a hard crash in practice took him out for the event.
Rinaldo not only used the opportunity to bag another
victory, he also took the Championship lead.
from his colleagues, he managed to start anyhow. He
qualified for the Final and looked like a sure winner. But
an impressive Libor Podmol had other ideas and became
the first rider to break the Rinaldo-Melero dominance
this year. Rinaldo claimed second and Melero, who made
some uncharacteristic errors, could do no better than 4th.
Mechanical problems sidelined Podmol on Day 2 where
things returned to their “old” pattern… Rinaldo finishing
ahead of Melero.
Then came the Shenzen (China) event where Rinaldo
missed practice on Day 1 because of lost luggage which
included riding gear and spare parts. With some help
That means that with two events to go (Gdansk (Poland)
and Sofia (Bulgaria), Rinaldo has a 12 point lead over
Melero, but anything can happen.
The French rider was on a roll and also claimed victory in
Tours (France) and Basel (Switzerland/Day 1) with Melero
in second each time. Day two offered reverse results with
Melero finishing ahead of Rinaldo again.
59
Raivo
Dankers
Born on 15 August 2001 in Hees, Netherlands
FIM 85cc Junior Motocross
World Champion
ORANJE BOVEN ! (“GO NETHERLANDS !”)
Raivo Dankers was only 17th in Free Practice and 13th in
the Qualifying Practice on the Spanish track of El Molar
and was certainly not much fancied by the bookmakers
on Saturday evening. What was wrong with the
European 85cc Champion ? In the Sunday Warm-up
however, the young Dutchman set the 3rd fastest time.
Maybe, just maybe, he was starting to show his true
intentions… but it was not going to be easy.
Race 1 was a hard fight between Brian Strubhart
Moreau, Thibault Benistan and Raivo Dankers as they
all took turns leading the Race. But, just when it looked
as if Strubhart Moreau would take the win, he went
down and handed victory to Dankers, salvaging 4th place
behind Bastian Boegh Dam and René Hoffer.
Race 2 saw Petr Polak take the lead in the early stages
in front of Dutch riders Brian Van der Klij and… Raivo
Dankers. Both riders went head to head and Dankers
then moved up one spot. That was counting without
Strubhart Moreau, who put in some amazingly fast
laps and blitzed to victory. Dankers had to settle for 3rd
behind Polak and ahead of Dam, but it was enough to
clinch his first FIM World Championship.
60
© Nuno Laranjeira
Maxime
Renaux
Born on 17 May 2000 in Sedan, France
FIM 125cc Junior Motocross
World Champion
THE HARDER THE FIGHT,
THE SWEETER THE VICTORY !
Taking home the FIM 125cc Junior Motocross World
Championship this year was France’s Maxime Renaux,
who clinched it with a hard fought double race victory.
The two other riders who rounded off the podium
were Britain’s Conrad Mewse and Australia’s Hunter
Lawrence, two Junior household names.
In Race 1, it was Maxime Renaux who emerged in
the lead with Spain’s Ruben Fernandez in hot pursuit.
Fernandez did try his best and sometimes came close
but never got past Renaud. Mewse didn’t get off to
the best start but charged through the pack taking 2nd
place away from Fernandez and then attacking Renaud.
However, the young French rider kept his nerve and won
the race by a narrow margin of 0.395 seconds. Stephen
Rubini, Hunter Lawrence and Josiah Natzke rounded out
the top 6 finishing within 7 seconds of the winner.
© Nuno Laranjeira
Mewse took the lead in Race 2 before Richard Sikyna
blitzed past him. The Brit responded almost immediately
but by that time Renaux was already on him and in front.
From then on, Renaux and Mewse went bar to bar. The
race went down to the wire with Renaud crossing the
finish line first. Sikyna rode to a lonely 3rd, followed by
Lawrence and Mathys Boisrame.
61
Etienne
Bax
& Kaspars
Stupelis
Driver : Etienne Bax
Born on 9 August 1988 in Eindhoven, Netherlands
Passenger : Kaspars Stupelis
Born on 7 July 1982 in Cesis, Latvia
© Nuno Laranjeira
FIM Sidecar Motocross World Champions
BAX / STUPELIS, AT LAST !
For the last three years, the pair of Etienne Bax / Kaspars
Stupelis had been obliged to play second fiddle, given
the dominance of Daniel Willemsen first and then of
Ben Adriaenssen (2013-2014). But this year, it would be
different.
Reigning FIM World Champions Ben Adriaenssen / Ben
Van den Bogaert might have won the opening round,
but on the eve of round 3 in Spain it was the young
French duo of Valentin Giraud / Nicolas Musset who
were leading. Bax / Stupelis had lost quite some ground
on the French pair in the second race, where they could
not score better than 7th. However, the Dutch / Latvian
combination fought its way back at the next round in
Germany. From then on there was no stopping them on
their way to Motocross glory !
When all the shots were called, the 2015 FIM World
Champions had run away with 16 race victories and
been on the podium 28 times in 32 races. That is pairing
brilliancy and consistency at the same time. None of the
competition could match their performances and the
number one plate was theirs after the penultimate round
in France.
62
Bax / Stupelis might have struck “gold” but the battle
for runner-up between Giraud / Musset and Jan
Hendrickx / Ben Van den Bogaert raged on until the last
race. At the end of the series, both drivers had scored
exactly the same number of points but in the end it was
Giraud who took the upper hand because of his better
scorings.
Kiara
Fontanesi
Born on 10 March 1994 in Parma, Italy
FIM Women’s Motocross World Champion
FONTANESI GOES FOUR IN A ROW
IN ANOTHER LAST-GASP MXW CLOSER
Deja vu came in a heavy dose for three times FIM
Women’s Motocross World Champion Kiara Fontanesi
this summer as the Italian once more lined up in a last
round duel for the title. The Grand Prix of Czech Republic
and the hard-pack of Loket was the scene for another
nail-biter in MXW and the marginal points that separated
the conquering Italian from chief rival Livia Lancelot.
When the French woman’s bike suffered a technical
problem on the sighting lap ‘Fonta’ still had to keep her
composure and scored the podium finish necessary
to seal her fourth crown in a row. A Yamaha stalwart,
Fontanesi is easily one of the fastest female motorcycle
racers on the planet and with her latest success has
become something of an icon in the burgeoning series
that was only officially launched in 2008. She managed
to triumph in 2015 thanks to three Grand Prix wins
from six; the most impressive being the ‘1-1’ double at
Teutschenthal in Germany to set up the riveting scenes
on the Loket hillside.
© Nuno Laranjeira
63
Ryan
Dungey
Born on 4 December 1989 in Belle Plaine, Minnesota, USA
AMA Supercross FIM World Champion
AND THE CHAMPION IS RYAN… DUNGEY !
For four years in a row (2011-2014), the AMA Supercross,
an FIM World Championship had been dominated
by Ryan Villopoto. However, by taking up the MXGP
challenge in 2015, he left the door wide open for the
likes of Ryan Dungey, Ken Roczen, Eli Tomac and Trey
Canard, to name but a few. There was wild speculation
as to who would be the new Supercross King but the end
it was the “other” Ryan.
Ryan Dungey had to wait till round 5 (Anaheim 2) before
he could take a first win in the 2015 AMA Supercross,
an FIM World Championship, but by that time he was
already in the commander’s seat. And one cannot be
but in admiration of his results. Dungey never went
below fourth spot, scoring 16 podiums in a gruelling 17
round series that ran over 18 consecutive weeks. The
Minnesotan played his cards well, staying out of trouble
and scoring “big” at each race, while the competition had
a bumpier ride. Some call him “Mr Consistency” and yes
he was consistent but that is not enough. The champion
also needs to be a warrior and a conqueror. With 8 event
victories added to his account this season, Ryan Dungey
is back where he was in 2010, in the “number one”
spot in Supercross. He also offered KTM its first AMA
Supercross FIM Championship ever.
64
© Hoppenworld
France
Team Manager : Pascal Finot
Riders : Romain Febvre, Gautier Paulin, Marvin Musquin
FIM Motocross of Nations
FRANCE BRING DOWN PACKED HOUSE
AT MEMORABLE 69TH MX OF NATIONS
© Nuno Laranjeira
A weekend ‘mass’ of 80,000 fans in various colours,
guises and from different corners of the world somehow
found space in the fantastic amphitheatre setting
of the Ernée circuit in northern France for the 69th
edition of the Motocross of Nations last September.
On an immaculate stage surrounded by a wall of noisy
support, Team France with MXGP World Champion
Romain Febvre, 2015 MXGP runner-up Gautier Paulin
and AMA East Coast Supercross Champion Marvin
Musquin provided the partisan crowd with the perfect
reason to party. The trio – with Febvre owning two of
the three motos – defeated Team USA (Barcia, Martin,
Webb) by just two points for their second ‘hoist’ of the
Chamberlain Trophy in a row.
65
Tim
Gajser
Born on 9 August 1996 in Ptuj, Slovenia
FIM MX2 Motocross World Champion
GAJSER EMERGES TRIUMPHANT AFTER
THRILLING MX2 CAMPAIGN
For the second year in a row the FIM MX2 Motocross
World Championship chase went down to the last
moto of the season after eighteen Grands Prix and
thirty-five sprints of drama, crashes and thrilling
scenes. HRC Gariboldi Honda’s Tim Gajser survived a
tense and unpredictable campaign and racked up the
highest number of victories with five successes and
eight podiums to celebrate a remarkable achievement
at eighteen years old and for his country of Slovenia.
Bringing Honda their first FIM Motocross title in
the principal categories since 2000, Gajser had to
endure low points such as DNSs in Thailand and Great
Britain but was also strong and attacking in standout
performances in Italy (his first), Germany, Sweden and
the sand of Assen in Holland. MX2 swung into the favour
of athletes like Jeffrey Herlings, Dylan Ferrandis, Valentin
Guillod and Max Anstie throughout the year but it was
Gajser who was resolute until the finish and deflected a
dogged charge from Red Bull KTM rookie Pauls Jonass
– the Latvian trying to keep the Austrian’s championship
record from 2008 alive. The series was decided on the
hills and hard-pack of Glen Helen in the USA where
Gajser had too much speed for his rival and created a
landmark in the sport and his fledgling career.
66
© Nuno Laranjeira
Romain
Febvre
Born on 31 December 1991 in Epinal, France
FIM MXGP Motocross World Champion
FEBVRE STUNS THE WORLD IN AMAZING
ROOKIE MXGP SEASON
Romain Febvre’s stunning success in 2015 is a fine
example of a rider finding the right ‘package’ of support,
machinery and circumstances and then exploding with
confidence and momentum. 23 years old and taking
a first dip into the premier class of the FIM MXGP
Motocross World Championship after finishing third
in MX2 the previous year, Romain swung his leg over
the works YZ450F after a rough winter of preparation
where he also had to deal with two injuries. His name
was barely mentioned in the pre-season hype that
swirled around Tony Cairoli and Ryan Villopoto but
Febvre came in ‘under the radar’ and swiftly set his race
speed to trouble the top five. By round six in Spain he
bagged his first podium finish and was rapidly becoming
the unofficial team leader: the rider most likely to give
Yamaha their first title in MXGP since 2009. Spain kicked
off a phenomenal run of thirteen consecutive rostrum
finishes that would include his maiden moto triumph
(the following race in the UK) and then overall victory
(fittingly in front of home support at Villars sous Ecot)
in the space of a few weeks. The win would be the first
of eight and would culminate with a fantastic conquest
of Glen Helen in the USA for the 2015 ‘closer’ and then
a week later in a starring role (two more chequered
flags) for Team France at the Motocross of Nations. The
Grand Prix of the Netherlands at Assen – round sixteen
of eighteen – will live long in the memory for ‘461’ and
his Italian Yamaha crew as this was the day when Febvre
confirmed his status as the world’s best for 2015.
© Nuno Laranjeira
67
FIM
Woman in
Motorcycling
Award
Motorcycling Victoria’s Female
Participation Programme
© MV
69
THE CHOICE OF
CHAMPIONS
Made in UK
ENHANCED TRACK SAFETY
Bolt-on secondary crankcase protective covers
Designed, developed & manufactured in-house
Distributed Worldwide for use on track & road
www.GBRacing.eu
Martine
de Cortanze
Born on 4 August 1945 in Boulogne-Billancourt, France
FIM Woman Legend
THE QUEEN OF SAND, WATER AND SPACE
Martine de Cortanze has an impressive record as a rally
driver, a motorcycle rider and a speedboat racer. She has
also made her mark as a sports executive and author.
Martine initially competed on four wheels in the French
Cross-Country Rally Championship from 1968 to 1972
before she shifted to two wheels and to racing in the
French Enduro Championship from 1975 to 1979 and
during which period she also contested five editions
of the Le Touquet beach race. The late seventies saw
Martine switch to Cross-Country Rallies where she
won the women’s motorcycle category in the French
Croisière Verte Rally in both 1978 and 1979.
This was to lead to her participation in the Dakar Rally
from 1978 to 1981, with Martine being the highest
placed female rider and eleventh overall in the first
ever edition of the race. The early eighties saw Martine
engage in various high profile endurance races with her
gaining several results of great note including winning
the women’s class at the 24 Heures de Mauléon.
© Archive Martine de Cortance
Water became the new fascination for the French lady
from 1984 to 1988 as she took part in speedboat racing,
both inshore and offshore.
Martine, who started out her career as a journalist,
wrote a book about her rally experiences entitled “Une
fille dans le desert” (a girl in the desert) in 1980 and
co-authored a book on cross-country rallies entitled
“Les Raids” in 1982. Finally in 1988, Martine took part
in parabolic flight tests for Nasa at the Space Centre in
Houston, USA with French astronaut Patrick Baudry.
71
Motorcycling Victoria’s Participation
2015 marks the first ever FIM Women in Motorcycling
Award. By creating this new award the FIM wanted to
recognise and celebrate those who have significantly
contributed to improving and developing the
presence of women in all motorcycling-related areas
and encouraged a greater awareness of women in
motorcycling.
This award is for a project, activity or initiative
implemented by individuals, groups or organisations
(e.g. CONUs, FMNs, clubs, organisers, promoters, circuit
owners, manufacturers, teams etc.) and that can provide
mid or long-term solutions to help develop the presence
of women in all motorcycling-related activities and that
can have lasting effects and impacts on the awareness
of women in motorcycling.
After a thorough examination of the fifteen candidatures
received from four different continents, the International
Jury unveiled the inaugural winner of this award Australia’s - Motorcycling Victoria’s Female Participation
Programme.
Motorcycling Victoria’s (MV) Female Participation
Programme is an initiative that has run for four years
creating healthier sporting environments that are
safe, accessible, inclusive and equitable to support
the participation of women and girls in all areas of
motorcycle sport.
The programme aims to increase the promotion,
exposure and support of women and girls in the sport
(competitively and recreationally), increase the number
of female participants in all aspects and disciplines of the
sport and increase the opportunities for development
and participation as riders, coaches, officials and
volunteers. These have been achieved through a series
of rider training Days, female-only coaching and officials
courses, promotional opportunities, a communications
/ media strategy and leadership programmes and
opportunities for women.
The FIM Women’s Commission was able to assemble
a highly experienced jury for this award including four
permanent members plus the 2014 FIM Women’s
legend. The panel included the following experts.
Ms Sue Fish (USA) : FIM Women’s Legend, AMA
Motorcycle Hall of Fame racer and pioneer of women’s
motocross racing
Ms Erin Hunter Sills (USA) : Land speed world record
holder and ambassador for women in the sport
Mr Alex Hofmann (Germany) : ex MotoGP racer and
current MotoGP commentator
Mr Wan Ahmad (Malaysia) : FIM Asia President,
member of the FIM Board of Directors and member of
the FIM Awards and Recognition Committee
Ms Nita Korhonen (Finland) : Director of the FIM
Women in Motorcycling Commission
72
Female
Programme
© MV
73
BEPPE DIENA DESIGN
FIM
SUPERMOTO
WORLD
cHAMPIONSHIP
SUPERMOTOS1GP.cOM
1
Road Racing
Max Deubel
FIM Road Racing Legend
Bennie Streuer & Geert Koerts
FIM Sidecar World Champions
Suzuki Endurance Racing Team
FIM Endurance Team World Champion
Anthony Delhalle - Etienne Masson - Vincent Philippe
FIM Endurance World Champions
Kenan Sofuoğlu
FIM Supersport World Champion
Jonathan Rea
FIM Superbike World Champion
Nicolò Bulega
FIM Junior Moto3 World Champion
Danny Kent
FIM Moto3 Grand Prix World Champion
Johann Zarco
FIM Moto2 Grand Prix World Champion
Jorge Lorenzo
FIM MotoGP Grand Prix World Champion
75
Max
Deubel
Born on 5 February 1935 in Bieberstein, Germany
FIM Road Racing Legend
SIDE-BY-SIDE SUCCESS
Max Deubel was aged twenty years old when he
competed in his first national race in Germany. This was
to prove to be an important step for the young German
driver ahead of him becoming the Sidecar Newcomer
Champion in his native land in 1958. Two years later in
1960 Max was to make his debut on the International
stage, with Horst Hohler at his side, as the German duo
took the opportunity to gauge their speed amongst the
top pairings of the time. Hohler was to retire from racing
at the end of this season so Deubel immediately took a
new passenger in the form of Emil Horner.
This new parings rise through the ranks was to prove to
be almost instant, with Deubel claiming the first of his
four FIM Sidecar Road Racing World Championships
the very next season. From 1961 through to 1964 the
German pairing was unstoppable as they completed
their quadruple set titles one after another. Max was
then twice to finish as runner up in the series over
the following two years before then announcing his
retirement from racing, during a career that also saw
him take three victories at the Isle of Man TT races.
Since 1968 Deubel has been involved as an official in
motorcycle sport and became a member of his national
federation road racing commission in 1975, a role he
held for thirty years. 1986 saw Max be elected as a
member of the FIM Road Racing Commission (CCR)
ahead of him being nominated a Vice President for the
same group from 2000 to 2006. In 2007 Max was made
an Honorary CCR Vice President.
76
© Archive Max Deubel
Bennie
Streuer
& Geert
Koerts
Driver : Bennie Streuer
Born on 16 April 1984 in Assen, Netherlands
Passenger : Geert Koerts
Born on 31 May 1977 in Dronten, Netherlands
FIM Sidecar World Champions
STREUER AND KOERTS TAKE THEIR FIRST TITLE
© Mark English
Twenty-nine years after his father Egbert achieved the
same feat, his son Bennie Streuer with his passenger
Geert Koerts – LCR Suzuki won the FIM Sidecar Road
Racing World Championship. This marked the first gold
medal for the Dutch pairing who fought a season long
battle with track rivals, but paddock friends Tim Reeves
and Gregory Cluze - LCR Kawasaki who were looking to
defend their 2014 crown but missed out by a mere five
points after an enthralling seven round battle that saw a
variety of race winners.
The 2015 campaign got underway at Donington Park,
Great Britain back in early April where Streuer / Koerts
opened their account with a respectable fourth spot
against high speed opposition. Consistency over the
following three rounds at Le Mans, France; Grobnik,
Croatia and Pannoniaring, Hungary – where the Dutch
duo only once missed out on a podium placing over the
five ensuing races – proved to be key to their eventual
success.
Race wins were then to follow for Streuer / Koerts at
Brands Hatch, Great Britain and at their home Grand Prix
held at Assen, Netherlands to reinforce their intent on
being serious title contenders ahead of the closing round
in Germany. A pair of safe second places over the closing
two days of competition was enough for the Dutch duo
to claim the overall prize and put Holland firmly back at
the top of Sidecar Road Racing.
77
Suzuki
Endurance
Racing
Team
Born 35 years ago in Le Mans, France
Team Manager : Dominique Méliand
Riders : Anthony Delhalle, Etienne Masson, Vincent
Philippe
FIM Endurance Team World Champion
FOURTEEN TEAM TITLES FOR
THE TIRELESS DOMINIQUE MÉLIAND
Whenever anyone mentions the Suzuki Endurance
Racing Team, the name of its emblematic manager,
Dominique Méliand, “le Chef”, immediately comes to
mind. It was in 1980 that he set up this now illustrious
squad, and it did not take long for the Team from Le
Mans to make its way up the field, becoming the one to
beat. In 1983, the team won its first world title and two
years later, in 1985, the first Suzuki GSX-R in a very long
series became the official bike of the Team which has
never stopped battling it out on the Endurance World
Championship circuits. With very few exceptions, it
has made the top step of the podium every time. These
fantastic results are also the reflection of the team spirit
shared by the members of this structure that Dominique
Méliand has worked so hard to create, some of whom
have been part of the adventure from the word go. Over
the years, the successes of the SERT have become a
dizzying list of figures that would daunt any high level
athlete. Fourteen Endurance World Championship titles
and 65 race wins including 15 at the Bol d’Or and 10
at the 24h du Mans. And behind these fabulous results,
there is Dominique Méliand’s philosophy, which he is is
happy to share with anyone who asks him at the start
of every season: “my objective is simple: I’ll be satisfied
with the top step of the podium”.
78
© Suzuki-Racing
Anthony
Delhalle
Born on 11 January 1982 in Chartres, France
FIM Endurance World Champion
THE QUIET FORCE
Anthony signed his first contract with the Suzuki
Endurance Racing Team in 2011. On paper, he was
just the replacement rider back then. But as a result
of the turbulence the team went through that year,
he wound up putting in a full maiden season as a fixed
member of the team and he has held on to that place
ever since. When he joined the SERT, Anthony was
no novice when it came to riding a Suzuki. Far from it.
He had been defending the company’s colours on the
world’s circuits for no less than ten years! For six years,
he learned the ropes in the France Open and Promosport
championships before joining the famous Junior Team
Suzuki, winning three 24 hours races with them in 2006
and 2007. Then followed the Qatar years. For three
years, from 2008 to 2010, he honed his career with
the Qatar Endurance Racing Team, winning three Stock
World Championship titles. At that time, he even put in
a few stints in the Road Racing World Championships
aboard a Moto2. So when he joined the SERT, he was
already a safe pair of hands, having won his spurs on the
famous GSX-R. This year’s win makes four world titles,
all with the SERT, bringing his career total to seven, all
won on a Suzuki, making him a fine ambassador for the
factory based in Hamamatsu !
© Suzuki-Racing
79
Etienne
Masson
Born on 28 September 1988 in Bourg-en-Bresse, France
FIM Endurance World Champion
DEBUT SEASON BRINGS A FIRST TITLE
FOR MASSON
Étienne is the “baby” of the team. Despite his young
age, he has clocked up some impressive experience and
has been training on two wheels from the tender age of
five when he rode his pocket bike on family outings. At
the age of twelve, he tried his hand at motocross and
a year later he entered his first competitions at a local
level. He then discovered speed on a 250cc, a gift from
his father, learning the finer points of riding on the job
as he moved up through championships and trophy
events. In 2008 he focused on Endurance, taking part in
three World Championship races. From then on, he gave
pride of place to this discipline in his annual schedule,
with the exception of 2011 and 2012, when he devoted
himself entirely to the Supersport Championship. In
2013, he came back to Endurance with the Junior Team
Suzuki, the perfect stepping stone towards the Suzuki
Endurance Racing Team. After two years with JTS, it
was the logical next step for him to join the SERT at the
start of the season with the Stock World Championship
title under his belt. He brings new blood to the SERT and
will certainly not be regretting the unusual career path
that led him to the team based in Le Mans, as he has won
a World Championship title barely one year after joining
the squad.
80
© Suzuki-Racing
Vincent
Philippe
Born on 11 January 1978 in Besançon, France
FIM Endurance World Champion
ANOTHER YEAR ANOTHER VICTORY FOR PHILIPPE
For twelve years now, since 2003, Vincent has been
wearing out his leathers on the bikes of the Suzuki
Endurance Racing Team under the watchful eye of
Dominique Méliand. He already had a fine career
behind him when he joined the Team based in Le Mans,
including two years fighting it out on the 250cc World
Championship circuits. Vincent is a great athlete and
when he is not riding a motorcycle, he is generally on
a bicycle or on skis to slake his unquenchable thirst for
physical activity. He rapidly became the linchpin of the
team where he is in his element, clocking up victory and
world titles season after season. Not many Cups have
eluded the will to win that is his constant state of mind.
This year, he has gone down in motor sport legend by
taking his ninth world crown. It is a rare rider these days
who can boast such an illustrious career in these extreme
disciplines. With this ninth title, he has drawn level with
Sébastien Loeb, nine times World Rallies Champion, and
a certain Valentino Rossi, nine times World Champion in
Motorcycling Grands Prix. A dazzling career that is the
just reward for all the hard work put in over the years by
this modest, friendly champion and the nicest guy you
could ever hope to meet.
© Suzuki-Racing
81
Kenan
Sofuoğlu
Born on 25 August 1984 in Adapazari, Turkey
FIM Supersport World Champion
A CHARACTER OF TEMPERED STEEL
Kenan Sofuoğlu is the most titled rider ever in the FIM
Supersport World Championship. In 2007, he dominated
the season, winning eight victories to clinch his first
world title aboard the Honda Ten Kate. He was 23 years
old. In 2010 he did it again, this time aboard the factory
Honda, before launching himself into the adventure of
Moto2 in Grand Prix. One season later, Kenan came back
to Supersport. This time, he took a gamble, changing
both team and manufacturer. He signed with Kawasaki
and found himself riding in a particularly hard fought
Championship. Kenan made nine podiums in thirteen
races, winning four times. And best of all, he earned his
third world crown for his first season on the ZX-6R, a
bike whose qualities and performance he particularly
rates. Despite upsets and injuries, Kenan hung in there.
This year he managed a great start to the season, but it
was to be a black year in his personal life. In spite of all,
because he is an exceptional champion, Kenan Sofuoğlu
kept his eye on the prize, holding off the incisive attacks
of France’s Jules Cluzel and Patrik Jacobsen of the USA.
At 31 years old, the Turkish rider has won his fourth title
in the FIM Supersport World Championship, proving
that he is the category’s most emblematic rider.
82
© WorldSBK
Jonathan
Rea
Born on 2 February 1987 in Ballymena, Northern Ireland
FIM Superbike World Champion
REA NEEDS NO LUCK OF THE IRISH
At the end of last year, Jonathan Rea decided to change
everything. After seven seasons with team Honda Ten
Kate, he opted to get aboard the Kawasaki ZX-10R
of Team Motocard. At 28 years old, after numerous
successes in the Superbike World Championships and
the Suzuka Eight Hours, he would be riding something
other than a Honda for the first time in his career. He
changed bike, changed team and changed his outlook.
After some soul searching, he embarked with force and
conviction on this season which would live on in the
annals of Superbike. Fourteen victories and twentytwo podiums in twenty-four races over a single season;
nothing like this has ever been seen in the history of
World Superbike. Jonathan Rea left only crumbs for his
rivals this year. He was crowned 2015 World Champion
five races before the end of the Championship, in Jerez
where he had his worst weekend of the year with two
fourth places because of a technical problem. Jonathan
Rea’s season was simply outstanding and impressive, at
least as impressive as the man is discreet and modest
when he appears in public. He is recognised by everyone
as one of the best if not the best World Superbike rider of
the moment. His contract with Kawasaki in 2016 already
presages a complicated season for all the competition.
© WorldSBK
83
Nicolò
Bulega
Born on 16 October 1999 in Montecchio, Italy
FIM Junior Moto3 World Champion
BRAVO BULEGA !
The first ever season of the FIM Junior Moto3 World
Championship could not have been closer, with no
fewer than four talented teenagers arriving in Valencia
for the final round with a chance of clinching the title.
Italy’s Nicolò Bulega led Spanish trio Aron Canet, Albert
Arenas and Joan Mir into the decisive last weekend of
the season, with 28 points covering the top four riders
and two races to decide the champion.
The leading quartet had dominated the top step of the
podium all season, with Mir and Canet sharing four wins
apiece from the opening eight rounds before Arenas and
Bulega opened their accounts with a victory each in the
two races held at the penultimate round in Jerez.
However, despite his early-season form Canet saw his
chances virtually evaporate when he crashed out of
the first race at Valencia, Arenas propelling himself into
contention with his second win of the season by just
0.007 seconds from Mir, as Bulega finished fourth.
With thirteen points now separating Bulega from Arenas
heading into the final race, the Italian knew that a topfour finish would be good enough to clinch the title. In
a breathtaking group battle that went all the way to
the final corner, Arenas took the victory he needed but
Bulega held firm to seal third place and the championship
by just four points.
84
© FIM CEV Repsol
Danny
Kent
Born on 25 November 1993 in Chippenham, England
FIM Moto3 Grand Prix World Champion
DANNY, CHAMPION OF THE WORLD !
The battle for the 2015 FIM Moto3 World Championship
went down to a nail-biting finale after a remarkable run
of late season form by Miguel Oliveira. The Portuguese
rider was in fifth place and trailing Danny Kent by 110
points after the Brit rider took victory in his home round
at Silverstone in round twelve. However, a run of three
wins and two second places over the next five rounds combined with a drastic dip in form for Kent – saw the
gap reduced to 24 points as the series headed for a date
with destiny at Valencia.
Kent’s sizeable lead had been built thanks to a brilliant
first half of the season that wielded eight podiums from
the first nine races, including three straight wins in Texas,
Argentina and Spain, which he added to with further
victories in Catalunya and Germany. Oliveira had shown
signs of things to come with a maiden win at Mugello,
a result he repeated at Assen, before heading into the
‘flyaway’ races on the back of a third victory at Aragon.
Second place at Motegi was followed up by two straight
wins at Phillip Island and Sepang, setting up an unlikely
final-round decider as Kent picked up just 19 points from
those four races.
© PhotoPSP
In an exciting finale Oliveira took his sixth win of the
season but, needing just 2 points to secure the title
regardless of the result at the front, Kent was able to
calmly reap the rewards of his early-season dominance.
A controlled ride was enough for ninth place, making
him the first British rider to win an FIM Grand Prix World
Championship since Barry Sheene (500cc) in 1977.
85
Johann
Zarco
Born on 16 July 1990 in Cannes, France
FIM Moto2 Grand Prix World Champion
DON’T MESS WITH THE JOHANN
Reigning champion Tito Rabat was back to defend the
number 1 plate in the FIM Moto2 World Championship
in 2015 but it initially seemed that the intermediate
category would be as hotly contested as ever, with five
riders – Rabat, Jonas Folger, Sam Lowes, Thomas Lüthi
and Johann Zarco - sharing the victories in the opening
six rounds. Significantly Zarco was the only one to finish
each of those six races and it was the Frenchman’s
consistency that would set him apart as he put together
a record-breaking run of twelve straight Moto2 podiums,
encompassing six victories, and opened up a 93-point
advantage over Rabat with five races to go.
Having recovered from collarbone surgery midway
through the season, Rabat took his second win in round
fourteen at Aragon to reignite the championship as
Zarco struggled to sixth. However a second injury blow
would prove to be the end of the Spaniard’s title defence.
After breaking his arm in a training accident at Almería,
Rabat flew to Japan in an attempt to race but could
not continue beyond first practice, meaning Zarco was
crowned champion.
The Frenchman celebrated in style, taking a seventh
win of the season before adding an eighth in Malaysia
that helped boost his eventual points total to a recordbreaking 352. Zarco is France’s fourth intermediate-class
FIM World Champion, joining Jean-Louis Tournadre
(250cc – 1982), Christian Sarron (250cc – 1984) and
Olivier Jacque (250cc – 2000).
86
© PhotoPSP
Michelin
back in
every time michelin tyres win on the
race track, you’re a winner too!
Technologies proven in motorsport feed into Michelin road tyres.
For 2016, MotoGP™ has switched to 17-inch wheels, the market standard
for sports and road motorcycles, making technology transfer easier.
Jorge
Lorenzo
Born on 4 May 1987 in Palma de Mallorca, Spain
FIM MotoGP Grand Prix World Champion
FIVE STARS FOR TRIPLE-CHAMP LORENZO
After becoming the youngest ever FIM MotoGP World
Champion in 2013 and successfully defending his crown
in 2014, Marc Marquez started the 2015 campaign
as many people’s favourite for a third straight title.
However, it was the oldest rider on the grid Valentino
Rossi who turned back the clock in the opening round
in Qatar, sealing victory to take the championship lead
for the first time in five years. The 36-year-old proved
his Losail win was no fluke, adding further victories in
Argentina, the Netherlands and Great Britain as he
racked up twelve straight podiums.
As Marquez seemingly struggled with the new Honda,
picking up just six podiums during that period, Rossi’s
main challenge emerged from the other side of the
Yamaha garage in the shape of 2010 and 2012 champion
Jorge Lorenzo. The Spaniard had experienced problems
of his own, missing the podium in the opening three
rounds, but he strung together four straight MotoGP
wins for the first time in his career – leading every single
lap at Jerez, Le Mans, Mugello and Catalunya - to launch
himself into championship contention.
© Yamaha Motor Racing Srl
© MotoGP.com
Wet races at Silverstone and Misano swung the
momentum back in favour of Rossi but Lorenzo roared
back with a win at Aragon that set up an exciting finish
to the season. After a controversial penultimate round
in Malaysia the pair were separated by just seven points
going to Valencia, with Rossi ordered to start from the
back of the grid for the decisive final round.
The Italian rode a sterling race to fourth but Lorenzo
produced a perfect performance himself from pole
position, taking a seventh start-to-finish victory of the
season to become Spain’s first three-time FIM MotoGP
World Champion, having also claimed the 250cc title on
two occasions.
87
The FIM would like to thank all the
2015 Champions and wish them all the
best for the forthcoming season !
The FIM also wants to thank all the promoters and partners for their
support in the organisation of the 2015 FIM Gala Ceremony.
88
ESTABLISHED IN 1904, THE FIM
Photo credits : © FIM Archives & Lukasz Swiderek - PSP.
FIM President
VITO IPPOLITO
was still a relatively young organisation when it created the FIM Rally
in 1936. At the time, the event gathered just a few dozen participants
together in Berlin but it was the first stepping stone on the road to
success. Now, 80 years later, the FIM Rally is regarded as a major event
by the Touring community and attracts more than 1,200 motorcyclists
from 27 different nations, all eager to share their common passion
for the motorcycle. The success of these events is such that the FIM
Touring Commission now promotes four international Motorcycle
Tourism gatherings and is developing another category: Adventure
Touring. A belief in the power of ideas, a willingness to do what it takes
to fulfil our ambitions, and a desire to unite motorcyclists from all four
corners of the world: the FIM and Motul truly share these same values.
7100 4T 10W40
100% synthetic lubricant. Ester.
Standards : API SN, JASO MA2.
Formulated to meet the latest manufacturers’
specifications in term of standards / oil
consumption and fuel economy. JASO MA2
optimizes clutch engagement during the
three riding modes (starting / acceleration and
constant speed).
The Motul 7100 4T line also comprises 5W40,
10W30, 10W50, 10W60, 15W50 and 20W50
lubricants.
#FIMGala2015
CAPITAL MUNDIAL DEL
MOTOCICLISMO
WORLD CAPITAL OF
MOTORCYCLING
CAPITALE MONDIALE DU
MOTOCYCLISME