The Board of Directors met at the Convention Centre in Lyon (France) February 4-5 2026, ahead of the FIM Commissions Conference, to be held during the weekend.
On this occasion, the Board addressed many topics, in particular the following:
Sport: All disciplines were discussed with a focus on the new promotion contracts for the FIM Bagger World Cup, FIM QuadCross World Championship, FIM E-Bike Enduro World Championship, FIM E-Bike City World Cup and FIM X-Trial World Championship. In addition, the outcome of the reflexion on the FIM Bajas World Cup to make this competition more attractive and more visible was shared. A new logo was presented, and the Trail category was upgraded to the FIM Bajas World Cup. Discussions related to the next edition of the FIM Intercontinental Games (ICG) which would take place on January 23, 2027 in Kuwait City (Kuwait) were held. Alongside Supersport and Sportbike classes with R7 and R3 machines, this second edition of the ICG will for the first time include motocross with the MX2 class. The safety of riders being the utmost priority for the FIM; the FIM homologation programme for helmets (FRHPhe) was designed to comply with this objective. The FIM homologated helmets meeting the level 02 standard of the FRHP (FRHPhe-02) are mandatory as from 2026 in all FIM World Championships / Prizes. The FIM decided that the FRHPhe-02 helmets would be highly recommended in the 2026 Continental Championships and mandatory in the 2027 Continental Championships. Likewise, the impact of the sound emission of the motorcycle sport activities has been addressed – the Board has been updated on the last developments on the measures that have been undertaken, together with motorcycle manufacturers and promoters, to reduce sound emissions in circuit racing and off-road competitions.
Situation in Ukraine: The Board of Directors reiterated its sympathy and solidarity with all those suffering, as a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. After having carefully considered the situation, the Board once again confirmed the decisions made during its extraordinary meeting on 5 March 2022. One of the consequences of these decisions is that no Russian and Belarusian riders, teams and officials can participate in FIM events and activities (FIM World Championships and FIM Prize Events) until further notice. The FIM will continue to monitor the evolution of the situation, taking into account the specificity of motorcycle sport.Finance: The 2025 closing and 2026 forecasts, both reflecting the sound financial situation of the FIM, were shared with the Board.
Racing Motorcycle Museum (RMM): The museum will open to the public on February 18, 2026. A dedicated website has been created www.fim-rmm.com. With exhibits around three main pillars “Heroes”, “Technologies”, and “From Race to Road” as well as simulator zones, visitors will have the opportunity to discover and explore the breakthroughs in technology, equipment and engineering that have advanced motorcycle racing. The RMM will also feature the “Paddock Café” open to visitors and general public.
Technical committee for the certification of competition motorcycles: Adjustments in the composition of the FIM Technical Certification Committee for the certification of competition motorcycles were made.
FIM Academy: The FIM launched the “She leads” mentoring program whose objective is to empower the next generation of women in motorcycling through mentorship, leadership development and meaningful connections across the sport and the industry.
Liaison with FMNs/CONUs: An update on the FMNs newly affiliated to the FIM and on the FMN/CONU liaison initiatives and activities, such as the guidebook for FMNs, was shared. The next FMN & CONU Secretaries General Meeting will take place 7 and 8 October 2026 in Cairo (Egypt) and will be hosted by the Automobile and Touring Club of Egypt (ATCE). Amendments to the CONUs Statutes bedrock were approved.
Marketing and Digital: Social media trends, together with an overview of the main 2025 digital figures and 2026 strategy were presented. An update of the FIM presence at the Motor Bike Expo 2026 was reported. Key marketing information on the promotion of the RMM as well as of the 100th edition of 6DAYS® FIM Enduro of Nations was provided.
Amendments to Codes and Regulations: The Board approved amendments to the Disciplinary Code and Medical Code.
International Foundation for Motorcycling (IFM): A brief presentation of the Foundation Board meeting that took place on 7 December 2025 in Lausanne (Switzerland) was given. The main topics were the approval of the 2026 budget as well as activities which will be supported throughout 2026, the main one being the RMM.
Commissions and List of Judges: Commissions Directors and the Director of the List of Judges had the opportunity to share their main projects and concerns with the Board. The following changes were made to the composition of the Commissions:
CTT – New Member, Mr Ganzorig CHULUUN (MAMSF)
CTI – New Expert, Mr Rainer DIEBOLD (Germany)
CFM – New Member, Ms Ariunsaikhan GANBOLD (MAMSF)
CTL – New Member, Mr Ahmad ELZOGHBY (ATCE)
FIM General Assemblies and FIM Awards: An overview of the 2025 FIM Awards media coverage – printed, web and TV – was reported with the expansion in TV & broadcast coverage, editorial productions, on-site interviews and a geographic coverage confirming the ongoing transformation of the FIM prize-giving ceremony into a strategic communication platform. The 2026 FIM General Assembly and FIM Awards will take place on 27-28 November 2026 in Monte Carlo (Monaco).
2026 Commissions Conference: All Commissions, the List of Judges as well as the Ethical Chamber will meet over the weekend. A plenary session is planned as part of the meetings scheduled on Saturday, February 7, which will mainly highlight the concussion guidelines, the safeguarding framework and the new FIM Events licence. In addition, the promoters of Hard Enduro World Championship (Hard Enduro Promotion Marketing Management LLC), Speedway World Championship (Mayfield Sports Events Ltd.) and the Endurance World Championship (Endurance Moto Promoter) will present their respective 2026 sporting calendars, their objectives and plans for the years to come. The President and Mr Martin Bena, CEO of APO Multimedia will sign the FIM QuadCross World Championship Promotion agreement for the 2026-2030 term. The FIM Sidecar World Champions as well as the Supermoto World Champion (SGP1) will be crowned during the plenary session.
The CONU Presidents, the Strategic Plan Board Committee and the Departments of the Administration presented their progress reports on their respective projects.
2026 FIM Commissions Conference successfully delivered
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The 2026 FIM Commissions Conference, was held from February 6-8 in Lyon (France). The Conference brought together 412 members of the FIM Family – including Board of Directors Members, Commissions Directors, Members and Experts along with four FIM World Championship promoters and three 2025 FIM World Champions – for three days of high-level discussions with the goal of sharing ideas and expertise to advance motorcycle sport.
The meetings started on Friday, February 6 with Superlicense Seminars intended to enhance and reinforce the level of expertise and knowledge of the participants. In parallel, a Technical Seminar (Level 2) with practical sessions dedicated to Off-Road disciplines was also conducted at the FIM Headquarters in Mies (Switzerland).
On Saturday, February 7, the Plenary Session started with a foreword from the FIM President. Mr Gavin EMMETT, Plenary Host, welcomed on stage FIM Endurance World Championship promoter Mr Claude MICHY (President of Endurance Moto Promoter), followed by FIM Speedway World Championship promoter Mr Richard COLEMAN (Founder of Mayfield Sports Events Ltd), and FIM Hard Enduro World Championship promoter Mr Robbie HUNTER (Co-Owner & Managing Director of Hard Enduro Promotion Marketing Management LLC) for a panel discussion and for sharing their strategy and vision for the sport for the years to come, before presenting their 2026 sporting calendars.
The FIM President then invited on stage Mr Martin BENA (CEO of APO Multimedia s.r.o.) for the signing of the FIM QuadCross World Championship promotion agreement for 2026-2030. The strategical and future development of the discipline was presented and the 2026 sporting calendar was also revealed.
Information was supplied from the FIM Administration on several key topics, including the procedure for the renewal of the Commission Directors and Members for the 2027-2030 term, the recent launch of the FIM Event License providing a comprehensive insurance coverage for the entire paddock, the introduction of a new online payment system, an update on the FIM Phase 2 Homologation program for helmets (FRHPhe-02) and the FIM Safeguarding Framework, which objectives are to contribute to the protection of individuals’ well-being.
Underlining the importance of rider health and safety, Dr David McMANUS (CMI Director) together with Ms Françoise EMERY (FIM CEO), delivered an overview of the new FIM Concussion Guidelines – specific to motorcycle sport at all levels and reflecting ongoing scientific research, emerging clinical evidence and best clinical practice to ensure riders receive the highest standards of care for concussion.
Ms Emery then introduced the new FIM Staff Members, welcoming them to the organization and briefly highlighting their roles within the FIM Administration.
The plenary session ended with the FIM Distinctions and Recognitions.
The following honorary memberships, approved during the 2025 FIM General Assembly, were awarded:
Mr Silvio MANICARDI – CPM Honorary Member
Mr Mike POSSELWHITE – CCP Honorary Member
Mr Christophe WARREN – CMS Honorary Member posthumously, handed to his daughter, Mikala MILLARD and his son, Chris WARREN JR
Mr Patrick CASTRO – special prize for his long-standing and invaluable commitment to motorcycling.
In addition, diplomas were awarded to the Directors and Members of the following Commissions/List of Judges, in recognition of their outstanding years of service:
35 years of service:
Mr Rezső BULCSU (MAMS) – CCR
Mr Igor ESKINJA (HMS) – CCR
30 years of service:
Dr Gonçalo MORAES-SARMENTO (FMP) – CMI
25 years of service:
Mr Robert HOFSTETTER (CAMOD) – LJI
20 years of service:
Mr Armando CASTAGNA (FMI) – CCP
Mr Achilles DAMEN (KNMV) – LJI
Mr Keith FREAK (ACU) – CTL
Ms Monica LAZZAROTTI (FMI) – CMI
Ms Tamara MATKO (FMA) – CCR
Ms Iris OELSCHLEGEL (DMSB) – CTR
15 years of service:
Mr Amr ABOULWAFA (QMMF) – CMI
Mr Sultan Zaher AL-MURAIKHI (QMMF) – CID
Mr John COLLINS (ACU) – CEN
Mr Chris DURNO – CCP Expert
Mr Naoufal EL ODDI LEBBADI (FRMM) – CID
Mr Roop Kumar GAJALA PADMANABHAN (FMSCI) – CTI
Mr Stuart HIGGS (ACU) – CCR
Mr Roger JOHANSSON (SVEMO) – CTI
Mr Paul KING (ACU) – CCR
Mr Adamo LEONZIO (FMI) – CID
Mr Jean-Luc MAINDRON (FFM) – CTT
Ms Francesca MAROZZA (FMI) – CPM
Mr Marius MATTHEE (MSA) – CID
Mr Thierry MICHAUD (FFM) – CTR
Mr David RODGERS (MCUI) – CTR
Dr Heike ROMER (ACU) – CMI
Mr Anand SASHIDHARAN (FMSCI) – LJI
Mr Michał SIKORA (PZM) – FIM Europe President
Mr Piotr SZYMANSKI (PZM) – CCP
Mr Ivo TSVETANOV (BMF) – CMS
Mr Jean-François WULVERYCK (FRMM) – CTT
Over the weekend all 14 sport and beyond-sport Commissions, along with the List of International Judges (LJI) and the Ethical Chamber, held their respective meetings to work on projects and priorities for 2026.
Highlighting the success of what was a highly engaging FIM Commissions Conference, FIM President, Jorge VIEGAS said: “It is always a special moment when the FIM family comes together for the Commissions Conference, and this year has reinforced the importance of the occasion especially with the presentation of the FIM gold medals to three of our 2025 FIM World Champions.
The FIM is in a strong position thanks to the ongoing education and sharing of the wealth of experience that we have amongst our long serving experts. Hearing from our Championship Promoters their passion and vision is clear to see, this positive energy is contagious and is what makes motorcycling so special. I would like to congratulate all those whose years of service were rightly recognized and thank every member of the FIM family who has joined us in Lyon. I am confident that 2026 is going to be a great season thanks to the work that has been done and the cooperation that has been witnessed over the last three days.”
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