Strong statement from FIM on the future of World Enduro Competition

International Enduro competition set for shake up as FIM declares WESS events will not be sanctioned from 2020 – new Extreme Enduro World Cup proposed from 2021.
 

The governing body of international motorcycle sport the FIM (Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme) has issued a strong statement regarding the future of world enduro competition. 

In a statement signed off by the new FIM President, Jorge Viegas, it is made clear events included in the World Enduro Super Series, will no longer have official FIM sanctioning. 

Specifically naming the KTM Group, behind the World Enduro Super Series, it states the two parties have not progressed talks in the ways both would wish. Talks have been ongoing this year to “find a solution for the improvement of the Enduro discipline”.

In response to that breakdown of talks, the FIM has issued the below strong statement outlining their position and how it will affect the 2020 season for riders wishing to compete in events in the WESS championship.

The significant fact in the statement is that from 2020, “no IMN (official FIM event number) will be attributed to any event taking part in any series competing with the World Enduro Championship”. 

By implication that means the insurance programme that goes automatically with FIM licences will not be valid in any events in that series. That IMN event number means national governing bodies can issue a licence and therefore also insure riders competing in those events. Without the IMN you stand alone in the event of any accident.   

On a more positive note, the third point in the statement announces tender for two separate World Championships from 2021 with a new Extreme Enduro World Cup proposed to stand alongside the established EnduroGP series.

Here’s the statement in full from the FIM President, Jorge Viegas:

Since the beginning of the year, the FIM has been openly talking with the KTM Group and the party responsible for the existing “Extreme Enduro Series” in order to find a solution for the improvement of the Enduro discipline. We have offered to bring some of those races along with our World Enduro Championship, but after a lot of efforts and meetings, it has not been possible to reach an agreement.

The FIM will not be flexible in environmental rules, safety conditions, protection of our riders and controlling the sport.

Therefore, even we are still totally open to a fair agreement for the future, the FIM in accordance with the affiliated national federations from Spain, France, Italy, Germany, Austria, Romania, England (means Great Britain – Ed) and Portugal, have today agreed on the following:

1. From 020, no IMN (official FIM event number) will be attributed to any event taking part in any series competing with the World Enduro Championship;
2. Therefore, the insurance program that goes automatically with FIM Licences will not be valid in the above mentioned events;
3. To launch as soon as possible two different tenders for 2021: one for the promotion of the Enduro World Championship and another for a new Extreme Enduro World Cup. By disclosing this, our objective is really to bring the Enduro family together and we hope everybody will go in the same direction.

Jorge Viegas

FIM President

Photo Credit: Future7Media