Category Archives: FIM News

WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP AND SUSTAINABILITY IN MOTORCYCLING

FIM Women’s Commission – 20 Years: Past, Present and Future

As part of the FIM Sustainability Week, the FIM Women’s Commission proudly marks its twentieth anniversary by highlighting the essential role of women in leadership and sustainability across the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM). This milestone offers an opportunity to reflect on the past, recognise the present, and look towards the future, demonstrating how inclusion, education and leadership are fundamental to building a more sustainable motorcycling ecosystem.

At the heart of the FIM’s sustainability strategy lies the understanding that sustainability cannot be achieved without addressing inequality. Gender equality and women’s empowerment are embedded across the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, reinforcing that social sustainability is inseparable from environmental and economic progress. Women are not only affected by global challenges such as climate change, inequality and economic instability, they are also key contributors to the solutions. As highlighted by UN Women, women play a vital role in addressing these challenges through leadership, innovation and knowledge sharing.

The FIM embraces this principle by actively working to increase the representation of women in leadership roles across the motorcycling ecosystem. This includes technical positions such as doctors, officials and sustainability officers, as well as administrative, governance and decision making roles within National Federations, Continental Unions, Boards of Directors and FIM Commissions. Encouraging more women to lead is a core recommendation of the FIM’s Equal Gender Opportunities framework, and one that continues to be translated into concrete action through education, pathways and support structures.

2025 FIM Women’s Speedway Gold Trophy, Donji Kraljevec © Jesper Veldhuizen

Since its creation, the FIM Women’s Commission has played a central role in driving this progress. Over the past twenty years, the Commission has contributed to the development of women’s championships across disciplines including motocross, enduro, trial, speedway and circuit racing. These initiatives have opened opportunities for female athletes while also strengthening governance, education and leadership pathways, laying the foundations for long term inclusion and sustainable development within the sport.

In 2026, the Commission proudly aligns its anniversary celebrations with FIM Sustainability Week, amplifying the voices of women in leadership across the FIM Family. Representatives from Continental Unions, National Federations, the FIM Administration and Sports Commissions will share their experiences and perspectives, helping to inspire future generations and reinforce the message that leadership, education and knowledge transfer are powerful drivers of sustainability.

The FIM invites the wider motorcycling community to explore the FIM Sustainability Report, which highlights concrete examples of progress and demonstrates how the Women’s Commission continues to contribute to a more inclusive, equitable and resilient future for motorcycling.

FIM Women’s Commission marked 20 years with an inspiring day at the 2026 MXGP of Germany © MXGP

Janika Judeika, Director of the FIM Women’s Commission, stated: “Sustainability is not only about protecting our environment, it is also about creating equal opportunities, empowering people through education, and ensuring that future generations can see themselves represented in every level of our sport. Over the last twenty years, the FIM Women’s Commission has shown that when women are given opportunities to lead, inspire and contribute, motorcycling becomes stronger, more inclusive and more sustainable for everyone.”

Kattia Juárez Dubón, Director of the FIM International Sustainability Commission, added: “Climate change affects everyone, but its impact is often greater on women, who play a crucial role in building community resilience. At the FIM, we recognise our responsibility to act – by promoting alternative energies and embedding sustainability into the future of motorcycling. Women are not only participants in this transformation; they are essential leaders driving meaningful change.”

Through this campaign, the FIM Women’s Commission is supported by leading voices from across the motorcycling ecosystem, individuals and organisations who are already part of the solution and who demonstrate that women’s leadership and sustainability move forward together.

Janika Judeika, Director of the FIM Women’s Commission, at the 2025 General Assembly, Lausanne © Good Shoot
More information Contact | sustainability@fim.ch |

NATURE AT THE HEART OF MOTORCYCLING: A DAY OF ACTION ACROSS THE SPORT

On World Environment Day, motorcycle sport shifts from narrative to evidence. Across championships, teams and federations, FIM Sustainability Week serves as a working platform where initiatives are implemented, examined and shared, reflecting continuous work rather than a symbolic moment.

FIM Superbike World Championship listed in the top ten of the 2026 Sustainable Championships Index™ © PSP Jacek Swiderek

Superbike: from strategy to measurable change

WorldSBK marks the day with a structural milestone: entry into the Top ten of the 2026 Sustainable Championships Index™, rising from eighteenth place and positioning itself among the most improved international series.

The recognition reflects the integration of sustainability within governance, operations and event delivery, supported by certifications such as ISO 20121 and ISO 45001.

At paddock level, this direction translates into operational choices. The bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team continues deploying solar-powered systems combining bifacial panels, battery storage and smart energy management, reducing reliance on external supply while supporting hospitality and technical operations.

In parallel, GYTR GRT Yamaha has become the first team in the championship to complete an independently verified ESG assessment, establishing measurable baselines across key areas such as waste, safety and governance, and defining a structured roadmap for improvement.

Collaboration with SUBARU, the official safety car provider, introduces electrified vehicle technology into the championship, aligning motorsport with broader mobility transitions and long-term environmental objectives.

Taken together, these actions reflect a shift toward data-driven, operational sustainability.

FIM Superbike World Championship achieves certifications such as ISO 20121 and ISO 45001 © PSP Jacek Swiderek

No nature, no motorcycling: the sport looks to its environment to evolve

As part of FIM Sustainability Week, the FIM Sustainability Commission will host a dedicated online session today – 5 June 2026 at 12:00 (CEST), inviting the global FIM Family to engage in a technical discussion on Nature-based Solutions (NbS) applied to motorcycle sport.

The session will be led by Dr. Gustavo Duque Estrada, Biodiversity lead at WSP and member of the IUCN, bringing scientific and applied expertise to the conversation.

The focus reflects a core operational reality: motorcycle events depend on the integrity of natural environments. From circuits to off-road terrains, challenges such as erosion, biodiversity loss and land degradation directly affect the sustainability and viability of events.

Key topics include:
• Erosion control and ecosystem protection
• Sustainable off-road and trail management
• Habitat restoration around tracks and venues
• Carbon offsetting through nature
• IUCN Global Standard for NbS
• Alignment with the TNFD framework
The session also acts as an open invitation to align environmental knowledge with practice, reinforcing the role of science-based approaches in event planning and delivery.

Damiano Zamana, FIM Deputy CEO and Operations Director said: “Motorcycle sport is deeply connected to the natural environments in which it takes place. As we celebrate World Environment Day and FIM Sustainability Week, this session provides a valuable opportunity to explore practical and innovative approaches that help protect and restore nature while supporting the sustainable development of our events and activities.

I encourage all members of the FIM Family and our Stewards to join this important discussion and contribute to our shared commitment to a more resilient, responsible, and nature-positive future for motorcycle sport.”

2025 FIM EnduroGP World Championship, Zschopau (Germany) © Pole Position Communication

RFME: practical guidance for immediate implementation

The Real Federación Motociclista Española (RFME) is contributing to World Environment Day with a pragmatic approach, centred on five sets of operational guidelines addressed to organisers, officials and members.

These “Ten Commandments” translate sustainability into clear, structured and achievable actions, designed to be implemented directly at event level without requiring complex resources or structural changes.

The measures focus on areas such as resource efficiency, waste reduction, responsible behaviour in paddock and venue environments, and improved environmental awareness among participants and officials. By targeting everyday practices rather than isolated initiatives, the RFME approach seeks to embed sustainability into the routine management of events.

The initiative also recognises the operational realities faced by organisers, particularly at national and regional levels, where constraints in logistics, budget and infrastructure require solutions that are both practical and scalable.

Rather than positioning sustainability as a separate layer of requirements, the guidelines aim to integrate it into existing workflows, reinforcing a model based on incremental improvement and consistency over time.

In this context, the RFME action reflects a broader shift within the sport: moving from high-level commitments to accessible tools that enable implementation across the full calendar, ensuring that progress is not limited to flagship events but extended throughout the entire ecosystem.

Josep García, FIM EnduroGP World Champion during the competition in Oliana, Spain, 2026 © Pole Position Communication

ACU: awareness built on long-standing environmental action

The Auto Cycle Union (ACU) is marking World Environment Day with a broad awareness campaign engaging riders, clubs and organisers, promoting sustainability as a shared responsibility across the sport.

This initiative builds on more than three decades of environmental work. Since establishing its Environment Working Group in 1993 and introducing its first Environment Code in 1995, the ACU has progressively integrated sustainability into event management.

From early milestones such as hosting the first FIM Environmental Seminar in 1997, creating Environmental Stewards, and introducing practical measures like ground protection systems, to more recent actions including noise reduction targets, electric racing initiatives, and carbon measurement pilots, the organisation has maintained a continuous approach.

Today, supported by a network of trained officials and updated sustainability frameworks, the ACU’s campaign reflects a long-term model where progress is driven by consistent action, technical development and community engagement.

Landscape taken at 2025 FIM EnduroGP World Championship, Rhayader (Wales) © Pole Position Communication

A collective moment grounded in year-round work

World Environment Day serves as a checkpoint within a broader, ongoing process across the motorcycle community.

Kattia Juárez, FIM Sustainability Commission Director concluded: “World Environment Day is an opportunity to come together as a global motorcycling community — not only to raise awareness, but to demonstrate that concrete actions are already taking place across the sport.

The level of engagement and enthusiasm we have seen throughout this week confirms that sustainability is a shared effort. Each initiative contributes to a collective impact that extends well beyond a single day.”

With further activities still ahead, Sustainability Week reinforces a consistent message: sustainability in motorcycle sport is built progressively, through coordinated actions, practical solutions and shared responsibility.

Green Rangers during KiSS Mugello with MotoGP Sport Entertainment Group representatives, FIM CID Director and Dr. Gustavo Duque Estrada © FIM

More information Contact | sustainability@fim.ch

FIM NAMES BERTA ABELLÁN AND ROSS BRANCH AS NEW SUSTAINABILITY AMBASSADORS, STRENGTHENING GLOBAL COMMITMENT

The FIM marks a major milestone during Sustainability Week with the appointment of two new high-profile Sustainability Ambassadors: Berta Abellán (Spain) and Ross Branch (Botswana) — a strategic expansion that reinforces the organisation’s global commitment to sustainability in motorcycling.

Berta Abellán, alongside fellow Ambassador Takahisa Fujinami, Toni Bou and other riders and representatives of Honda Mobility Land, participating in the environmental activation during KiSS Motegi 2026 in Japan © Pep Segales

These two outstanding athletes represent both the new generation of riders and the growing international scope of the programme, bringing fresh energy, authenticity, and powerful regional representation.

  • Berta Abellán is the 2025 FIM TrialGP Women’s World Champion, having finished as vice World Champion the previous four seasons. As a leading female rider, Berta is an important voice for the growing role of women in motorcycling and sustainable sport.
  • Ross Branch, as runner-up in the 2024 Dakar Rally and with five stage wins to his name over recent years, stands as one of Africa’s most prominent motorsport figures and will serve as a key voice for sustainability across the African continent with the support of FIM Africa.

Ross Branch riding stage four in Portugal 2026 © MCH Photography

Jorge Viegas, FIM President, stated: “The appointment of Berta Abellán and Ross Branch as FIM Sustainability Ambassadors represents a significant step forward in strengthening our global commitment to sustainability. They embody not only sporting excellence but also the values of responsibility, respect, and leadership that are essential for the future of motorcycling.

Through their voices, we can reach new audiences and reinforce the message that sustainability is a shared responsibility across all disciplines and continents. Berta’s role as a female athlete and role model, and Ross’s representation of the African continent, highlight the diversity and inclusiveness that are key to driving meaningful change.”

Ambassadors’ Voices
Berta Abellán emphasised not only environmental responsibility but also the role of women as drivers of change in the sport:
“I would like to thank the FIM very much for trusting me to be an FIM Sustainability Ambassador. For me, it is very important to take care of the environment where we practice our sport and in relation to motorcycling in general.

As a female rider, I also feel a responsibility to help inspire more women and show that we can be part of the positive change our sport needs. Sustainability is about respect – for nature, for people, and for the future – and I will do everything in my power to raise awareness and contribute as much as possible in this space.”

Berta Abellàn at the 2026 TrialGP of Japan © Future7Media

Ross Branch highlighted both the honour and responsibility of his new role:
“I am truly honoured to have been selected for this programme, and I am very proud to accept this role. Being recognised by the FIM, with the recommendation and support of FIM Africa, means a great deal to me.

Sustainability and environmental awareness have always been close to my heart. I call Africa home, and I feel incredibly grateful to have grown up training and competing in places of such raw beauty, wildlife and open landscapes.

As rally riders, we are privileged to travel through some of the most remote and stunning regions of the world. I believe we also share a responsibility to help protect them. If I can use my voice to promote responsible practices, raise awareness and support positive change within our sport and across Africa, I will do so with great commitment.”

Ross Branch at Dakar Rally 2026 © MCH Photography

More information Contact | sustainability@fim.ch

AFRICA UNDER THE SPOTLIGHT DURING FIM SUSTAINABILITY WEEK

The exemplary work of FIM Africa – one of the FIM’s six Continental Unions (CONU) – comes under the FIM Sustainability Week spotlight today – Wednesday 3 June – when the focus shifts to the launch of the 2026 FIM Africa Sustainability Campaign for Motorcycling in Africa.

With the theme of ‘Ride Sustainably. Build Resistance. Regenerate Africa’, the campaign by FIM Africa aims to establish African motorcycling as a sustainable, resilient and regenerative sporting and leisure touring ecosystem. To achieve this goal, attention must be paid to reducing environmental impact, strengthening operational systems, building adaptive event structures and creating positive, long-term community and environmental legacy.

A five-point framework has been created around the key principles of ‘reduce’, ‘reuse’, ‘recycle’, ‘resilience’ and ‘regeneration’ with the campaign’s stated mission to build stronger, more adaptable event systems capable of operating across diverse African realities while ensuring motorcycling has positive environmental, educational, social and economic impacts in every host territory.

Using the guiding principles of practical sustainability, shared responsibility, systemic resilience and positive regeneration, over the next six months the framework will be implemented with a series of monthly themes underpinned throughout by the introduction of resilience and regeneration principles through the Sustainability Commission for FIM Africa.

Promotional poster for FIM Africa featuring ‘Ricky the Rhino’, the FIM Africa mascot. The rhinoceros is emblematic of the African continent and symbolizes conservation, the protection of wildlife and natural resources. © FIM Africa

Starting with ‘Foundation and Alignment: Building the Vision for Sustainable African Motorcycling’, among this month’s key objectives will be the launch of an integrated sustainability campaign in partnership with the FIM and the announcement of 2024 FIM World Rally-Raid Champion Ross Branch as the new Sustainability Ambassador for Africa.

Month two – ‘Reduce: Reducing Impact and Building Efficiency’ – will focus on reducing consumption and unnecessary travel while simplifying infrastructure before ‘Reuse: Creating Durable and Adaptable Event/Activity Systems’ highlights month three’s key focus areas of Modular Infrastructure Reuse, Reusable Operational Systems and Shared Resource Networks.

Month four – ‘Recycle: Transforming Waste into Community Value’ – will centre on Localised Recycling Systems, Education Through Recycling and Permanent Recycling Processes before ‘Resilience and Community Engagement: Strengthening Communities Through Motorcycling’ forms the basis of month five’s focus on Community Partnerships, Rider Sustainability Ambassadors, Resilience Workshops and Regenerative Community Activities.

A month dedicated to ‘Legacy and Long-Term Implementation: Embedding Sustainability into African Motorcycling’ concludes the initial framework implementation with the key objectives of evaluating the campaign impact, institutionalising sustainability systems and establishing long-term resilience and regeneration strategies.

Women bikers’ association during a planting operation of local species © FIM Africa

Kattia Juàrez Dubón, FIM Sustainability Commission (CID) Director, added: “The importance of the FIM CONUs’ roles in achieving our sustainability goals cannot be understated so I am delighted to see how FIM Africa is building its strategy with a focus on resilience and restoration. This is a very practical, forward-thinking approach to a vitally important subject and – with the full support of the FIM Sustainability Commission – I feel confident that this integrated vision will allow us to take great steps towards building a sustainable future across all activities in Africa.”

More information Contact | sustainability@fim.ch

ENDURO STEPS UP: LEADERSHIP, ACTION AND A UNITED PUSH FOR SUSTAINABILITY

FIM EnduroGP World Championship builds on its recognised sustainability leadership with a strengthened Sustainability Week campaign, while FIM Hard Enduro World Championship reinforces its commitment through a clear and structured manifesto.

Maurizio Micheluz – Track Inspector, FIM EnduroGP © Pole Position Communication

Enduro, a discipline deeply rooted in nature, is stepping up its response to the environmental challenges it directly faces.

From forests and mountains to remote terrains, the future of the sport is inseparable from the protection of the environments where it is practiced. Across the discipline, sustainability is no longer an ambition — it is becoming a defining principle.

FIM EnduroGP sets the benchmark

FIM EnduroGP has established itself as one of the leading sustainability platforms in international motorsport, backed by a consistent and long-term strategy developed jointly by the Promoter and the FIM.

That commitment was formally recognised in 2024 with the FIM Environmental Trophy, confirming its position at the forefront of responsible event management.

Its sustainability model is built on concrete action:
• The EnduroGP Forest initiative driving reforestation efforts
• Carbon footprint measurement and compensation programmes
• Active involvement in the FIM Ride Green programme
• Championship-wide recycling and waste management systems
• Effective event dismantling and site restoration processes
Behind the scenes, the Promoter continues to raise the bar — actively implementing the FIM Environmental Code while introducing stricter requirements to ensure sustainable paddock operations across all events.

Marc Sans Soria (ESP) – Stark Varg, Electric Motorcycle, FIM EnduroGP, © Pole Position Communication

Beyond environment: people and communities at the core

Sustainability in FIM EnduroGP goes further than environmental impact.The championship is actively working to:
• Improve gender balance across sport and leadership
• Strengthen connections with local communities
• Deliver positive and lasting local impact
• Engage riders as visible ambassadors for responsible behaviour
In 2025, this approach took a further step with the full implementation of the KiSS (Keep it Shiny and Sustainable) format, embedding sustainability into every event.

Josep García (ESP) – KTM, FIM EnduroGP © Pole Position Communication

FIM Sustainability Week: from action to amplification

Now, FIM EnduroGP is turning up the volume.
The newly reinforced FIM Sustainability Week campaign is designed to showcase, connect and amplify the work already happening across the championship — bringing sustainability to the forefront of every race weekend.
Delivered as a joint effort between the Promoter, the FIM and the CEN, the campaign introduces a strong communication presence at every competition, ensuring sustainability is not only implemented, but seen, understood and shared.
The focus is clear:
• Making existing actions more visible
• Sharing best practices across events
• Mobilising riders as key voices
• Encouraging responsible behaviour across the entire ecosystem
The message: sustainability is not just managed — it is communicated, experienced and lived.

Carla Alvarenga, CEO of Prime Stadium, Promoter of FIM EnduroGP, said: “Sustainability is not a new direction for FIM EnduroGP World Championship — it is something we have been building over time through real actions and strong collaboration with the FIM. Sustainability Week allows us to take this work further, to give it visibility, and to engage our entire community around a shared responsibility: protecting the environments that define our sport.”

Hard Enduro: driving progress through responsibility

Hard Enduro is stepping forward with a clear and structured sustainability vision, formalised through its manifesto, “Progress Through Responsibility.”

Far from a symbolic statement, the manifesto sets out a practical and evolving framework designed to address the specific challenges of a discipline that operates in some of the most demanding and environmentally sensitive terrains — including mountains, forests and remote landscapes.
In this context, sustainability is fully integrated into event planning and delivery. Key measures include:
• Detailed environmental and terrain impact assessments adapted to each location
• Implementation of controlled washing zones and responsible water management systems
• Waste collection, recycling processes and the use of environmental protection measures in paddock and service areas
• Close collaboration with local authorities, landowners and environmental stakeholders
• Structured post-event clean-up and full site restoration

Graham Jarvis (GBR) – JARV-E, Electric Motorcycle © FIM Hard Enduro World Championship

This operational approach is supported by a broader vision that goes beyond environmental management. Hard Enduro is actively contributing to the evolution of the sport by:
• Promoting inclusivity, including the development of women’s participation and youth pathways
• Supporting grassroots riders and strengthening access to the discipline
• Encouraging innovation, including the progressive integration of new technologies
• Delivering tangible economic and social value to host communities

Sandra Gómez (ESP) and Teodor Kabakchiev (BUL) © FIM Hard Enduro World Championship

At its core, the Hard Enduro manifesto acknowledges a key reality: the discipline has an impact — and managing that impact responsibly, transparently and progressively is essential for its future.

Through this structured approach, Hard Enduro positions itself as an active contributor to the broader sustainability transformation of Enduro.

A discipline moving forward together
Across both championships, one direction is clear.
Enduro is combining experience, concrete action and stronger communication to drive sustainability forward — not as an obligation, but as a necessity for its future.

Leticia Castaño De Elizalde, Operations Manager – FIM Hard Enduro World Championship stated:
“Back in the day, many organiser discussions focused on logistics: where teams would park, paddock layouts, permits, schedules and sporting regulations. Those topics remain important, but sustainability has now become part of the discussion from the start. Today, we are always asking organisers what systems they have in place to manage waste, protect terrain, control refuelling activities, and minimise the impact of the event on the environment. These considerations were rarely part of the planning process in the past, but they are becoming routine now. The next step is to continue to develop standards, monitoring them, and ensuring sustainability becomes part of how events are set up across the championship.”

Eddie Karlsson (SWE) – Stark Varg, Electric Motorcycle © FIM Hard Enduro World Championship

HARD ENDURO MANIFESTO

John Collins, FIM Enduro Commission Director, said: “Enduro is uniquely exposed to environmental challenges, and that comes with responsibility. The work developed within FIM EnduroGP shows how structure, commitment and collaboration can deliver real progress. At the same time, the Hard Enduro sustainability manifesto is an important step forward, reinforcing this direction across the discipline with a clear framework based on responsibility and continuous improvement. Together, these initiatives show how the sport is evolving with purpose.”

Protecting the terrain today is the only way to race tomorrow.

More information Contact | sustainability@fim.ch