LOSAIL (Qatar), 27 February 2014 – The atmosphere is warming up here in Qatar with the welcoming press conference of the 2014 FIM Motocross World Championships, the FIM Women’s Motocross World Championship presentation and a specially organized media opportunity out on the breath-taking Doha Corniche all taking place.
Around noon today, some of the top MXGP, MX2 and WMX riders took the opportunity to get out and explore Doha on a traditional Dhow Charter. The Dhow charter is a sixty-year-old wooden boat traditionally used for fishing, but today it has been renovated and is now used to carry people out onto the beautiful Doha Corniche where the exquisite skyline view of the city of Doha can be admired.
Later in the afternoon, QMMF President and Losail International Circuit General Manager Mr Nasser Khalifa Al Attya, Youthstream President Mr Giuseppe Luongo, FIM Deputy President Jorge Viegas and FIM/CMS Director Dr Wolfgang Srb hosted a press conference to welcome all international and national media, as well as riders and teams to the second ever MXGP of Qatar. During the press conference QMMF President and Losail International Circuit General Manager Mr Nasser Khalifa Al Attya shared his feelings of pride and thanks for the opportunity the country of Qatar and the QMMF have received to host the opening round of the FIM Motocross World Championship for the second year in a row. This year a significant amount of work has gone into improving the facilities in order to cater specifically to the FIM Motocross World Championship. For this, both Youthstream and the FIM are very thankful, not only for the efforts of the QMMF but also for the professionalism and enthusiasm they have shown. The new and improved lighting systems that have been put in place, improves the quality of the FIM Motocross World Championship for all that are involved. Better lighting means a better view, not only for the riders and spectators, but also for TV coverage which will in turn reward MXGP with even more global coverage. This year many major television broadcasters have jumped onboard with MXGP and will be viewing the last race of each MXGP in each countries prime viewing time on a Sunday afternoon. “This is massive,” Mr Giuseppe Luongo concluded, “having the major broadcasters such as Eurosport, Mediaset and CBS Sports Network for example, only improves the quality of our sport”.
Coming into the closing stages of the press conference Miss Nita Korhonen, Director of the CFM, was welcomed to the podium to introduce the FIM Women’s Motocross World Championship. This is the first ‘fly-away’ race in history for the women and is hoped to be the first of many. Miss Nita Korhonen expressed her thanks to the FIM, Youthstream and QMMF for their belief and investment in women’s motocross.
Mr Giuseppe Luongo added, “There is no doubt motocross is one of the most physically demanding sports in the world, but that does not mean women can not part take. In fact, I have seen some very impressive racing out of some women in the sport such as Livia Lancelot and Kiara Fontanesi, and I am sure that this WMX season will be very competitive”.
With the official introductions and ‘meet and greets’ complete, the MXGP community will unwind tonight and enjoy the calm before the storm, for tomorrow it all will unfold.
All the photos of the MXGP of Qatar will be available here
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