The traditional press conference of the French Motorcycling Federation was held this Tuesday, January 9, 2024 at the Gaîté Lyrique (Paris) in the presence of many players in the motorcycle world in their greatest diversity. The opportunity to take stock of the past season in terms of motorcycling sport and to discuss the main directions for 2024. Also, the 2023 World Champions, World Cup Winners and European Champions were rewarded. An evening of sharing to mark the launch of this new season.
What you must remember :
Summary of the 2023 season:
Licenses & practice titles: A new record year for the French Motorcycling Federation which recorded 104 licenses and practice titles issued in 137, an increase of 2023% compared to 1,48, a historic year. Please note, the number of licenses for young people is clearly increasing (nearly 2022% of licenses issued) like the annual licenses issued to female pilots which experienced, between 20 and 2010, an increase of almost 2023%. % (90 in 2 / 500 in 2010). The latter represent, today, around 4% of the annual licenses issued and more than 600% of the 2023 licensed women practice motorcycle sport.
Test results: More than 860 national events (excluding Moto-Ball) were organized in the territory in 2023, an increase of 7,3% compared to 2022. On the international level, France hosted 17 international events of very large scale. diversity with increasing attendance in terms of spectators. Note that the French Grand Prix de Vitesse has become the GP having welcomed the most spectators with a historic record of 278 over the weekend. Let's not forget the Motocross des Nations, an exceptional event, which also reached a historic milestone of 805 spectators.
Sports results: Our French ambassadors have carried the colors of our country high with a record of 7 individual and team world titles, 11 World Cup victories, 7 European titles and 44 podiums.
Young people at the heart of the federal project: The dynamic initiated by the modernization of the speed course in 2022 continues with the organization of eight Mini OGP Region League championships. The Mini OGP France series, for its part, was held over six national events with no less than 24 drivers, on average, per stage. The OGP French Championship, the flagship cycle of the program, saw an average of 23 drivers entered in the 7 events on the calendar.
Note the participation of many French drivers in the European Talent Cup, which bodes well for the future.
A reference championship for our future Champions of the Motocross discipline, the Minivert saw a redefinition of its format this year with, in particular, the creation of a new category dedicated to 6/8 year olds as well as the integration of an electric challenge . The results of this new format are positive with a substantial increase in the number of drivers entered for the season (1) with an increase of almost 070% compared to 70 (2022). This new plan will be renewed in 637.
The French Mini Trial, Cross Country Kid and Enduro Kid Championships also had a good season. Among Enduro Kid youngsters, the electric challenge will now be accessible from 6 years old.
Main regulatory developments for 2024:
Security, a federal priority: Rider safety remains a major concern for the French Motorcycling Federation. From 2024, airbag vests will be compulsory on major speed circuits and in almost all categories. This measure will gradually be generalized to other disciplines.
New category in Superbike: In order to respond to changes in international regulations and machines available on the market, a “600 New Generation” category is created within the 600 division. The 600 Challenger category is deleted.
Note that a new Wild Card, in partnership with GMT94 and Yamaha, will be awarded in the Supersport 600 category by the FFM in 2024. In 2023, this was offered to young Johan Gimbert, French SSP600 Champion and new arriving in Moto2 JuniorGP for the 2024 season.
Electrification of disciplines: In view of the societal and environmental issues facing our sport, the French Motocross Championships will fully integrate electric motorcycles into the regulations. The Moto-Ball discipline, for its part, continues its transition with the acquisition of 30 electric machines intended for Moto-Clubs playing in Junior.
Development of the practice:
Sustainability and development of the activity: As part of its proactive policy of perpetuating and developing motorcycling activity in the region, the Federation acquired in 2023 the Motocross circuits of Ahun (23) as well as Néris-les-Bains (03). ) which brings the number of lands under federal ownership to 21. For 2024, the objective is to continue this policy with around ten files currently being studied.
Technical control : The technical inspection of motorized two-wheelers will be gradually implemented from April 2024. The European Directive therefore comes into force for motorcycles, scooters, quads, registered before January 1, 2017, which will have to undergo a technical inspection before December 31, 2024. After many months of negotiations with the Ministry of Transport as well as the Ministry of the Interior, the French Motorcycling Federation has obtained an exemption from the technical inspection of enduro and trial motorcycles for holders an annual sports license issued by the FFM.
Sound emissions: In this new year, regulations relating to noise emissions are evolving with the aim of perpetuating our sport. For the Speed discipline, the control of noise emissions will now be carried out using the dynamic method on major circuits, which constitutes a fundamental change.
Economic and environmental barometer: The French Motorcycling Federation and the French Motor Sport Federation jointly presented on December 13 the first environmental barometer of motor sports as well as an economic assessment of the Industry. The main lessons of this barometer can be discovered by clicking here.
Governance Reform: 2024 constitutes an elective year for the Federation, its Leagues and Departmental Committees. The election of the President of the French Motorcycling Federation and his team will take place on September 16. Note that for the first time, Motorcycle Clubs will participate in the Federation elections.
CLICK HERE TO CONSULT THE 2024 MAJOR EVENTS CALENDAR
CLICK HERE TO CONSULT THE 2023 SPORTS AWARDS
