FIM President Jorge Viegas joined ACU (Auto-Cycle Union) President Tim Lightfoot and other invited guests in London on Tuesday, July 7, regarding next year’s 6Days FIM Enduro of Nations—that will be held in Great Britain for the first time in 44 years—and which was presented at the House of Commons, the nation’s seat of Government.
This is a press release from the FIM…
Also in attendance were John Slinger, the Member of Parliament for the constituency of Rugby, who hosted the event; Lord Ed Vaisy, ACU Honorary President; David Chadwick Member of Parliament for Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe constituencies; Carey-Clinch, National Motorcyclists Council Executive Director; Matthew Edwards-Wear, ACU CEO; Fabio Muner, FIM Marketing & Digital Director; Steve Hall, ISDE Director of Operations; Craig Kate Jones and Aled Evans from the organising Rhayader & District MC & LCC and Team GBR World Trophy Team rider Steve Holcombe 6Days 2022 Winner.
Widely celebrated as the ultimate test of rider and machine with an uncompromising six-day schedule across highly challenging terrain, the event—first staged in 1913 in Great Britain and the oldest event on the FIM calendar—will return to its birth nation for 6Days Wales 2027, a back to the roots one-hundred-and-first edition. It will bring together 600 of the world’s leading male and female Enduro riders from 30 countries who will compete together as teams in their respective national and club categories over a route of around nine-hundred miles.
Wales first hosted the 6Days in 1933 and has staged it a further seven times including its most recent visit to Great Britain in 1983 with the country’s forests, mountains and valleys providing ideal terrain, while the event will also support tourism, rural economies and community engagement.
The positive economic impact on motorcycle sport in the UK along with the local hospitality sector will be considerable and the nation’s motorcycle industry will be given an invaluable opportunity to engage with competitors and spectators, showcase products and help newcomers discover how they can try the sport.
Activities for children will form part of efforts to introduce a new generation to motorcycling and the event’s legacy will be to inspire future riders, the nation’s youth and the next generation of volunteers and fans while imparting important messages concerning sustainability, clean fuels, rider safety and equality.
The event, the date of which will be confirmed this autumn, will be delivered by Welsh motorcycle clubs with support from volunteers across Britain. Volunteers will take on a wide range of roles—including marshaling and supporting the setup of the event—and their support will be central to delivering six days of world-class competition and showcasing the expertise and commitment of the UK’s off-road motorcycling community.
FIM President Jorge Viegas said, “Bringing the 6Days back to Great Britain next year is a truly special milestone for this historic event, as the very first edition was held in Carlisle in 1913. Since then, the competition has grown immensely and is now recognized as one of the most prestigious events on the FIM calendar.
“The 6Days last visited Great Britain in 1983 when it was hosted in Wales, so it is especially fitting that the 101st edition will return to a nation and a region with such a deep-rooted and proud Enduro heritage.
“On behalf of the FIM, I would like to thank the ACU, the entire organizing team and all the relevant stakeholders for their commitment and support. I am confident that 6Days Wales 2027 will be an outstanding event and a memorable celebration of our sport for competitors, teams, fans and everyone involved.”
John Slinger, MP for Rugby, added, “I was delighted to help host the presentation of the FIM Six Days Enduro of Nations alongside the Auto-Cycle Union, based in my constituency of Rugby. It is fantastic to see this prestigious event returning to the UK for the first time in over 40 years, with its 101st edition set against the stunning backdrop of the Welsh countryside.
“The UK has long been a global leader and pioneer in this sport, so events like this are a brilliant opportunity to showcase that heritage and inspire the next generation. While I may be new to Enduro, there’s always a first time for everything—and I will certainly be cheering on the British teams in 2027.”
Matthew Edwards-Wear, ACU CEO, said, “As the national governing body of motorcycle sport in the UK, we’re proud and excited to welcome the ISDE to the UK in 2027. We thank our local Labour MP, John Slinger, for his support and the opportunity to present the event at the House of Commons and to showcase what our 2027 event will entail and the positive effect it will have on our sport, communities and the economy.
“The UK has a rich heritage when it comes to the Enduro discipline and, for the ACU, Wales is the perfect region to host the best riders and teams in the world. The organizing team we have in place is talented and experienced and I know the FIM 6Days Wales 2027 will be an event the FIM, ACU and other stakeholders will be extremely proud of.”
Steve Hall, ISDE Director of Operations, said: “Around one-hundred-thousand spectators are expected to join competitors, support crews and officials in Wales. Hotels, hospitality businesses, retailers, suppliers and tourism operators are expected to benefit, while international coverage will showcase Wales as a destination for sport and adventure tourism.”
Craig Carey-Clinch, NMC Executive Director, said, “The FIM Enduro of Nations showcases all that is great about motorcycle sport and shines a positive light on the wider world of the UK’s £7-billion-pound motorcycle sector.
“In addition to drawing positive attention to the UK’s vibrant motorcycle sport sector, the lead-up to the 6Days will see a range of activities highlighting the benefits of motorcycling to society, particularly in personal transport and mobility, leisure, tourism, the economy and heritage. The benefits of motorcycling as an enabler of wider transport policy objectives will also be highlighted—benefits that can be unlocked through greater recognition of motorcycling in transport policies both national and local.
“UK motorcycle sport is hugely respected internationally and is a great success story for the nation, although it is not always fully recognized in the wider UK sporting ecosystem. We look forward to working with the Government to develop initiatives that support the key role the sport plays, particularly in youth engagement, sustainability, environmental protection and safety.”
