As we all continue to adapt to the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, the safety of the local communities which are due to host certain touring gatherings remains paramount. Equally, the protection of thousands of passionate motorcyclists crossing continents to represent their nations during these FIM events is also a key concern and consideration.
Given the ongoing and developing circumstances and restrictions associated with the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, and in order to safeguard the health and wellbeing of our volunteers and officials certain decisions have now been taken. This has been done in accordance with the directions of the national authorities and in close coordination with the local organiser committees. The FIM and its key stakeholders have decided to postpone the FIM Rally planned to take place in Foligno, Italy from the 24th to 26th of June 2020 until next year. All registered participants will be reimbursed in full by the organiser.
Additional decisions regarding other events have also been taken, after consultation with the following national federations: namely the Italian Motorcycling Federation (Federazione Motociclistica Italiana - FMI), the Polish Motor Association (Polski Zwiᶏzek Motorowy - PZM) and the Spanish Motorcycling Federation (Real Federación Motociclistica Española - RFME). The FIM with its Touring and Leisure Commission and its key stakeholders have decided that the FIM Rally, the oldest international motorcycle gathering and that is set to mark its 75th edition (since its inception in 1936), will take place in Italy in 2021, in Poland in 2022 and in Spain in 2023. The latter forming part of the celebrations marking the RFME’s centenary anniversary.
Furthermore, the FIM, in cooperation with the organising committees, have decided to defer to 2021 all the FIM Touring Classic Events planned during 2020, namely the FIM Rendez-Vous Meritum in Austria, the FIM Motocamp in Slovakia and the FIM Mototour of Nations in Turkey.
All rescheduled events will take place next year, where possible in the same period of the year as they were originally planned to do so. The relevant supplementary regulations will be available in due course.
The FIM President, Jorge Viegas commented: “The FIM is concerned about the health of all involved in the organisation of our major motorcycle gatherings. In addition we must pay respect to the local communities hosting us, by contributing to minimise the risk of contagion and, at the same time, contribute to their touristic and cultural restart once this emergency is over, that is why we have decided to postpone the FIM Rally to next year”.
Giovanni Copioli, FMI President added: "Our priority is to take care of people’s health. Postponing the FIM Rally is difficult, but the right decision. Planning it for 2021 will allow us to organise everything in the best way, as we were already doing for the 2020 edition before the Covid-19 emergency. I am sure we will create a great experience to the participants. I am thankful to the FIM and its President, Mr Jorge Viegas, and to the CTL; we shared the decision all together and all together we will work for 2021. I also would like to thank Mr. Michal Sikora (Polish Automoto Association President) and Mr. Manuel Casado (RFME President)."
For further information please contact: ctl@fim.ch
FIM Communications