President of the French Motorcycling Federation (FFM) since 2020, sir Sébastien Poirier was elected for a second term at the elective General Assembly held in Paris this Monday, September 16, 2024.
Sébastien Poirier was reappointed as head of the French Motorcycling Federation (FFM) until 2028 during the Elective General Assembly held at the French National Olympic and Sports Committee (CNOSF) on Monday, September 16, 2024. The outgoing President, aged 51, was appointed by 97,05% of the votes cast to serve a second consecutive term. For the first time in the history of the institution, and with 50% of the voting power, the Motorcycle Clubs of France were called to vote to elect the members of the Steering Committee and the President of the Federation by list ballot. A new provision that follows the modification of governance initiated by the Federation under the provisions of the law of March 2, 2022 relating to the democratization of sport in France. The votes of the Presidents of the Departmental Committees and the Regional Motorcycle Leagues represented the other half of the voting power.
Sébastien Poirier, President of the FFM: « I would like to thank our Motorcycle Clubs, our Departmental Committees and our Regional Motorcycle Leagues for the trust placed in us. This re-election recognizes the results of this first term of office, which began in the midst of a health crisis.
We have presented a project that carries an ambition for our Federation. The team that accompanies me is composed, equally, of women and men invested in our sport. We will continue, responsibly, our commitment to the service of motorcycling to promote and defend with determination the interests of motorcycling sport. I am extremely proud of the institution that I represent, of our values and of those who make motorcycling sport on a daily basis.
At the end of its 110 years of existence, the Federation has never been so modern and popular, as evidenced by the record number of practitioners. (104 licenses and practice titles issued in 137) and attendance at the "flagship" motorcycling events. With a constantly increasing turnover, 24,47 million euros in 2023, the French Motorcycling Federation is a key player in sport in France. The body founded on March 3, 1913 has developed around key missions such as the organization of events on the national territory, the defense of practitioners or the preservation and development of daily practice in competition and leisure. Motor sports also represent a major economic and social sector in the country.
So many issues that do not escape Sébastien Poirier who becomes president of the FFM in October 2020. The 2020-2024 term was rich in decisions and actions in favor of the growth of French motorcycle sport led by a passionate, committed and determined management team. Among the significant measures, President Sébastien Poirier and his team were keen to pursue a policy of democratizing the practice among a population of uninitiated people. Led by the French Motorcycling Schools, these have been promoted through new specifications and labeling criteria. Today, more than 150 schools are labeled throughout the territory compared to 49 at the start of the term. Another strong and strategic point of the term is the restructuring of the speed sector through the Génération Vitesse program. The latter aims to bring young French hopefuls to the firmament of motorcycle sport, as worthy successors to Fabio Quartararo, 2021 MotoGP world champion, and Johann Zarco, two emblematic figures of the MotoGP world championship. To do this, it was crucial to rework the pyramid for accessing the top level to offer better signposting of the course in the image of the other high-level sectors of the Federation. The FFM has also made it a point of honor to protect the practice of competition among young people in all disciplines, to develop new categories thus allowing an increase in attendance at national level events.
Developing the practice among young people is a priority for the FFM.
President Sébastien Poirier also wanted to place the Federation at the heart of contemporary societal and environmental issues. Reducing noise emissions was a major focus of his first term with a new control method for speed circuits. Also worth mentioning is the mandatory wearing of airbags at the French Championships on asphalt in order to improve driver safety.
In line with the policy of perpetuating and developing motorcycling activity initiated in 2010, seven new circuits came under federal control during this term of office, bringing the number of circuits owned by the FFM to 22.
Aware of current climate concerns, the French Motorcycling Federation has also created a water sobriety fund and carried out a study on the environmental impact of motor sports (in collaboration with the FFSA). The study showed that the share of greenhouse gas emissions generated by racing drivers represented only 0,001% of the total emissions produced by France.
The FFM is committed to preserving motorcycle heritage through its land acquisition policy aimed at guaranteeing the sustainability and development of its motorcycle activities.
Today, President Sébastien Poirier and his new team, made up of full parity, wish to register their new commitment to the FFM in the dynamics of their first term. They intend to continue the development of motorcycle sport by facilitating its accessibility to new practitioners, whatever the discipline, and by setting the High-level sector as a priority in order to prepare future champions. Accredited schools will be supported and a particular emphasis will be placed on the growth of women's motorcycle sport. This desire for continuity also applies to the societal role that the French Motorcycling Federation must play. A responsibility that involves consolidating the current governance, via the promotion of the Financial and Ethics and Professional Conduct committees, and making sustainable development a federal priority. As part of this second term, President Sébastien Poirier also wishes to strengthen support for Motorcycle Clubs, Committees and Motorcycle Leagues. Financial support, targeted actions, acquisitions of new circuits, and other specific support are all steps envisaged to crystallize this link between the FFM and the many territorial actors. Likewise, he will be keen to support and encourage volunteers. Thus, he plans to update the training of officials and plans to implement a policy of training and support for volunteers. Promoting the diversity of missions offered within the Federation should also help to promote their recruitment. For President Sébastien Poirier, these guidelines will form the framework of a new mandate that he wishes to be resolutely focused on the future.
