The 2016 FIM Motocross World Championship covered a total of sixteen nations, and five continents, with twists and turns in each corner of the globe. With the motocross season in the rear-view mirror, there was just one item left on the world motocross agenda. The international ‘MXGP Awards’ ceremony was held in honour of all that occurred in the sport globally, and provided the industry and fans alike with a chance to acknowledge the greatest talent that the sport has to offer.
Formula 1 has the ‘FIA Prize Giving Ceremony’ and MotoGP has the ‘MotoGP Awards Ceremony’ each year. Motocross has the ‘MXGP Awards’ that are held in a different host nation at the conclusion of a race season. Today’s edition of the prestigious and exclusive MXGP celebration was held in Maggiora, Italy, and attended by retired greats of the sport like Stefan Everts of Belgium (ten-time motocross world champion) and Ricky Johnson of the United States (winner of seven American Motorcycle Association titles).
Led by Youthstream, FIM Motocross World Championship promoters, the ceremony was broadcast around the world in order to recognise the phenomenal achievements that the motorcycle industry has witnessed. Slovenia’s Tim Gajser and The Netherlands’ Jeffrey Herlings headlined the night as they leapt onto the stage to accept their world champion medals that were issued by the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme. France’s Livia Lancelot, Belgium’s Jago Geerts, Austria’s Rene Hofer and Denmark’s Thomas Kjer Olsen were also in attendance to claim their championship medals.
Encapsulating the scale of the FIM Motocross World Championship, event organisers from across the world attended to accept awards. Promoters in Patagonia-Argentina scooped the ‘best racetrack’ award, but the Dutch organisers behind the Assen TT Circuit were the most successful as they exited the ceremony with a total of three awards (most noteworthy was the ‘best infrastructure’ title). The Charlotte Motor Speedway in the United States prospered in this division too; they were awarded ‘best co-operation’ in their first term on the world calendar.
Continuing with the theme of celebrating the greatest public figures in the industry, Team HRC’s technicians from Japan (Junji Miyazaki, Toru Yukawa and Masaki Serizawa) claimed the mechanic award. Elsewhere, it was Ray Archer from the United Kingdom who walked away with the €5000 cheque for best photographer. MXVice.com editor Lewis Phillips collected another cheque as the ‘best digital platform’ in world motocross – the publication’s first major award. In addition, Youthstream took the opportunity to donate €10000 (just as they do every season) to the Wings for Life charity. Founder Heinz Kinigadner accepted the donation.
The ‘MXGP Awards’ was the perfect way to bookend the international motocross season and with the major prizes handed out, attention can now turn to the 2017 FIM Motocross World Championship. The season is set to start in Qatar in the Middle East on February 25.
By Adam Wheeler. Photo by Monster Energy
