Mini Moto School Slovenia at MotoGP Misano with FIM

FIM supports the Minimoto School of Slovenia in their project to train future champions. Invited by FIM at Misano MotoGP, the Slovenian mini riders were taken on a "behind the scenes" tour during the three days event.

On Friday 13 September, the Minimoto School of Slovenia started their intense FIM program by walking on the paddock and watching the test sessions from a special stand.

At noon, the Slovenian mini riders were brought on a visit inside the Repsol Honda Team garage guided by Livio Suppo himself. They had a chance to see the mechanics work on Mark Marquez & Dani Pedrosa's motorcycles.

On Saturday 14 September, the FIM was happy to take the Slovenian mini riders through every expertise it takes to run a race. The journey started at the race direction where they met the FIM jury. The children were captivated as Paul Duparc, FIM Road Racing Coordinator, explained how it all works together
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The mini riders then dived at the heart of the race direction with the 100 cameras covering every angle of the track. They met the marshals, the track manager and the chief medical officer.

Franco Uncini, safety officer and former World Champion, met a young Slovenian rider whose father raced with him in the past.

As these young riders are the next generation of the motorcycling sport and will one day represent the FIM, it was important for us that they meet our Environmental Commission. Kattia Hernandez, the Commission Director, took time to explain what it means to "Ride Green". With Valentino Rossi and Marc Marquez Environmental Ambassadors in mind, the children listened with great interest.

Next in the FIM journey for the Slovenian Minimoto School was the press room and the feel created by 300 journalists getting ready for the Grand Prix. Finé Velilla, the media center manager, took the children on an exciting trip to understand how a motorcycling Dorna event is brought out to the world.

The children's eyes shined in amazement as they approached the vibrant red Ducati trucks. Julian Thomas, Ducati MotoGP Press Manager, welcomed them with passion.

To involve the children, Julian challenged them with a quiz that, if answered right, would open the doors to the Ducati garage. The mini moto experts answered Julian's questions with brio and were given the green light to enter the Ducati temple. The children watched the mechanics prepare the motorcycles as Julian revealed details very few people know.

The last activity of the day organized by FIM brought the intensity even higher as the children were led to the Monster Yamaha Tech3 Team Hospitality to share a special moment with Champion Bradley Smith. The children were asked to prepare questions for Bradley who answered them with great generosity. Bradley then took the time to sign on each mini rider's special place.

The best place to finish this day high on emotion was Valentino Rossi's pizzeria in Tavullia. Valentino's home town attracts fans from all over the world with a complete experience throughout a museum, a store and a restaurant dedicated to the champion's story, titles and memories.

On Sunday 15 September, the children felt the vibration and the excitement of a Grand Prix as they watched their idols run the race on the legendary Misano World Circuit.

After the race, the FIM had a last adventure in store for the Slovenian mini riders. How about meeting Stefan Bradl in the LCR Honda MotoGP Team Hospitality? The children were all given an LCR hat and waited for the Champion to come down the stairs after his race.

Sayaka, customer coordinator for LCR Honda MotoGP Team, and the LCR hostesses made this post-race moment a warm and special closing to this fantastic FIM / Slovenian Mini Moto School event.

The FIM let the children go back to their parents with FIM gifts and, we hope, unforgettable memories.

Pop TV, the most popular national TV channel in Slovenia, broadcasted images of the Minimoto School in Slovenia creating a moment of fame for the mini riders back home.

Interviewed by Isabelle Larivière, FIM's press officer, Lovro, 12 years old, said he loved his weekend because "the speed and the noise of a race are much better here than on TV". He didn't know all that went on in the race direction and he was fascinated by Marc Marquez who "is so small on TV and so big in real"!

Gasper, 12 years old, said it was "awesome" because he could "see things that you can't see on TV". The strong moments for him was when he sat on Bradl's bike and went in the Ducati garage. In his own words: "I saw Valentino, Marc Marquez, Lorenzo, everybody!"

Erik Logar, the Slovenian National Motorcycle Federation Secretary of Sport and coordinator of the event with FIM, said this operation will be extremely fruitful for the promotion of the sport in Slovenia because the first thing the invited mini riders will do is tell their friends. Erik said he didn't expect the FIM would organize a program so rich and that it will take his mini riders' motivation to another level.

This mini event within the Grand Prix was a huge success and created a unique relationship between the FIM and the future generation of riders. It was the first one but certainly not the last!