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The first ever presentation of its kind at the opening MotoGP™ event of the 2019 season, and a similar presentation at an MXGP round later the same year. Now, with the worst of the pandemic behind us, FIM President Jorge Viegas was keen to resume this important communication programme at the WorldSBK event at Estoril.

In front of a gathering of international media and in the presence of Gregorio Lavilla, Executive Director in Dorna WorldSBK Sporting & Organisation Department, the FIM President explained that it remains his aim to continue to highlight the role of the FIM to the outside world. This is to show clearly how its function is fundamental to the safe and fair running of the Championship through the services, support and staff that it provides.

Mr Viegas confirmed that the FIM’s mission in WorldSBK is to create the rules together with the WorldSBK Commission and to apply the rules and the relevant sanctions issued by the FIM Stewards panel. The FIM is also in charge of circuit homologation and safety including all medical aspects, plus the antidoping programme. The FIM’s remit also covers the training of the officials, including the race director, clerk of the course, the technical and environmental stewards. This important training is conducted through FIM seminars delivered by FIM instructors around the world.

The FIM President also acknowledged that approximately 250 track marshals are required during a WorldSBK weekend and how big a challenge it is for these people, who are volunteers and who dedicate their free time to our sport. Having set out the position of the FIM, the FIM President then invited each member of the FIM staff who were in attendance to present themselves and to explain their role within the WorldSBK structure.

The invited speakers included:

• Franck VAYSSIE - CCR Director & FIM WorldSBK Appeal Steward in Estoril
• Simone FOLGORI - 1st FIM WorldSBK Steward (Permanent)
• Simon MAAS - 2nd FIM WorldSBK Steward (FIM by rota from pools)
• Arjan van EEKELEN - 3rd FIM WorldSBK Steward (FIM by rota from pools)
• Scott SMART - FIM WorldSBK Technical Director CTI
• Ludovic REIGNIER - FIM WorldSBK Technical Director Tech & Safety
• Tamara MATKO - FIM Safety Officer   
• Monica LAZZAROTTI - FIM WorldSBK Medical Director   
• Isabelle LARIVIERE - FIM Communications Manager

Following the presentations from each member of the FIM staff, the FIM President Jorge Viegas ended by saying: “With conditions within the paddock now back to normal, it felt like the right moment to continue the programme I started back in 2019. To remind you all, my goal is to open the FIM to the outside World and to explain the fundamental role of the FIM and the important part it plays within the championship. Thanks to the close collaboration of all the stakeholders, we are all working hard together to manage and to promote with great success the WorldSBK Championship. Our plan remains to repeat this kind of presentation at the other disciplines too.”

Gregorio Lavilla - Executive Director - Dorna WorldSBK Sporting & Organisation Department

"The strength of the collaboration between Dorna WSBK Organization and the FIM is instrumental in the success of the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship, jointly promoting progress in many different fields. Such a presentation is a great opportunity for the public to gain a better understanding of the role of the Federation within the Championship."