FIM Commissions update - Nuno Trepa Leite

The Coronavirus disease pandemic has significantly influenced the activities of all the FIM Commissions. In the “Commissions Update” series, Commission Directors will explain how they have modified their working processes during the extraordinary times and how they foresee the future.

For only the second time since the FIM’s programme of classic touring events started in 1936, it has been necessary to suspend the road riding programme, now due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Events in many countries across nearly all continents have been cancelled, however the Touring & Leisure Commission (CTL) has decided that rather than cancelling their Classic events, they would merely be postponed, extending the 2020 programme of events to 2021.

“This decision allows the efforts that organising teams put in to prepare for the 2020 events to bear fruit the following year in the same countries and locations, whilst the CTL’s other programmes and championships will all start fresh at the same time”, explains the Touring & Leisure Commission Director Nuno Trepa Leite.

All the scheduled touring events prior to July were postponed or cancelled until 2021. The main Classic events, FIM Rally, Motocamp, Meritum and Mototour of Nations have all been rescheduled for similar dates in 2021 with the same organizers and venues. The FIM Touring World Challenge presently is continuing for 2020. Events scheduled for after July 1 are continuing as organizers decide.

The Touring & Leisure Commission and Bureau have held virtual Zoom meetings to discuss future plans for 2020 and beyond when things open up again.

“For CTL the main challenge has been the restrictions on international travel and border crossings. As CTL’s activities depend on participants travelling to and from our events, this effectively prevented them from attending.”

Nuno Trepa Leite and his commission are already looking forward the 2021 season.

“The plans for 2021 are to resume all activities as before. The major events are already rescheduled and organizers and FMNs are asked to resubmit their event requests for future events. If the conditions permit, it will be back to “business” as usual for 2021.”

“The Coronavirus has been a worldwide phenomenon. It has affected all countries in different but very serious degrees. Lockdown conditions and isolation requirements have had a catastrophic effect on tourism and group gatherings. This is reflected in the cancellation of the majority of CTL’s activity.

It must be recognized that this was necessary to protect the safety and health of our riders and their families”, Nuno trepa Leite highlights.

FIM Communications