2026 FIM Commissions Conference successfully delivered
The 2026 FIM Commissions Conference, was held from 6 to 8 February in Lyon (France). The Conference brought together 412 members of the FIM Family – including Board of Directors Members, Commissions...
The 2026 FIM Commissions Conference, was held from 6 to 8 February in Lyon (France). The Conference brought together 412 members of the FIM Family – including Board of Directors Members, Commissions Directors, Members and Experts along with four FIM World Championship promoters and three 2025 FIM World Champions – for three days of high-level discussions with the goal of sharing ideas and expertise to advance motorcycle sport.
The meetings started on Friday 6 February with Superlicence Seminars intended to enhance and reinforce the level of expertise and knowledge of the participants. In parallel, a Technical Seminar (Level 2) with practical sessions dedicated to Off-Road disciplines was also conducted at the FIM Headquarters in Mies (Switzerland).
On Saturday 7 February, the Plenary Session started with a foreword from the FIM President. Mr Gavin EMMETT, Plenary Host, welcomed on stage FIM Endurance World Championship promoter Mr Claude MICHY (President of Endurance Moto Promoter), followed by FIM Speedway World Championship promoter Mr Richard COLEMAN (Founder of Mayfield Sports Events Ltd), and FIM Hard Enduro World Championship promoter Mr Robbie HUNTER (Co-Owner & Managing Director of Hard Enduro Promotion Marketing Management LLC) for a panel discussion and for sharing their strategy and vision for the sport for the years to come, before presenting their 2026 sporting calendars.
The FIM President then invited on stage Mr Martin BENA (CEO of APO Multimedia s.r.o.) for the signing of the FIM QuadCross World Championship promotion agreement for 2026-2030. The strategical and future development of the discipline was presented and the 2026 sporting calendar was also revealed.
Information was supplied from the FIM Administration on several key topics, including the procedure for the renewal of the Commission Directors and Members for the 2027-2030 term, the recent launch of the FIM Event Licence providing a comprehensive insurance coverage for the entire paddock, the introduction of a new online payment system, an update on the FIM Phase 2 Homologation programme for helmets (FRHPhe-02) and the FIM Safeguarding Framework, which objectives are to contribute to the protection of individuals’ well-being.
Underlining the importance of rider health and safety, Dr David McMANUS (CMI Director) together with Ms Françoise EMERY (FIM CEO), delivered an overview of the new FIM Concussion Guidelines – specific to motorcycle sport at all levels and reflecting ongoing scientific research, emerging clinical evidence and best clinical practice to ensure riders receive the highest standards of care for concussion.
Ms Emery then introduced the new FIM Staff Members, welcoming them to the organisation and briefly highlighting their roles within the FIM Administration.
The plenary session ended with the FIM Distinctions and Recognitions.
The following honorary memberships, approved during the 2025 FIM General Assembly, were awarded:
Mr Silvio MANICARDI – CPM Honorary Member
Mr Mike POSSELWHITE – CCP Honorary Member
Mr Christophe WARREN – CMS Honorary Member posthumously, handed to his daughter, Mikala MILLARD and his son, Chris WARREN JR
Mr Patrick CASTRO – special prize for his long-standing and invaluable commitment to motorcycling.
In addition, diplomas were awarded to the Directors and Members of the following Commissions/List of Judges, in recognition of their outstanding years of service:
35 years of service:
Mr Rezső BULCSU (MAMS) - CCR
Mr Igor ESKINJA (HMS) - CCR
30 years of service:
Dr Gonçalo MORAES-SARMENTO (FMP) - CMI
25 years of service:
Mr Robert HOFSTETTER (CAMOD) - LJI
20 years of service:
Mr Armando CASTAGNA (FMI) - CCP
Mr Achilles DAMEN (KNMV) - LJI
Mr Keith FREAK (ACU) - CTL
Ms Monica LAZZAROTTI (FMI) - CMI
Ms Tamara MATKO (FMA) - CCR
Ms Iris OELSCHLEGEL (DMSB) - CTR
15 years of service:
Mr Amr ABOULWAFA (QMMF) - CMI
Mr Sultan Zaher AL-MURAIKHI (QMMF) - CID
Mr John COLLINS (ACU) – CEN
Mr Chris DURNO – CCP Expert
Mr Naoufal EL ODDI LEBBADI (FRMM) - CID
Mr Roop Kumar GAJALA PADMANABHAN (FMSCI) - CTI
Mr Stuart HIGGS (ACU) - CCR
Mr Roger JOHANSSON (SVEMO) - CTI
Mr Paul KING (ACU) - CCR
Mr Adamo LEONZIO (FMI) - CID
Mr Jean-Luc MAINDRON (FFM) - CTT
Ms Francesca MAROZZA (FMI) - CPM
Mr Marius MATTHEE (MSA) - CID
Mr Thierry MICHAUD (FFM) - CTR
Mr David RODGERS (MCUI) - CTR
Dr Heike ROMER (ACU) - CMI
Mr Anand SASHIDHARAN (FMSCI) - LJI
Mr Michał SIKORA (PZM) - FIM Europe President
Mr Piotr SZYMANSKI (PZM) - CCP
Mr Ivo TSVETANOV (BMF) - CMS
Mr Jean-François WULVERYCK (FRMM) – CTT
Sam CHRISTIE, 2025 FIM Sidecar Rider World Champion, Tom CHRISTIE, FIM Sidecar Passenger World Champion and LukasHÖLLBACHER, 2025 FIM S1GP SuperMoto World Champion were presented with their respective FIM gold medals on stage.
Over the weekend all 14 sport and beyond-sport Commissions, along with the List of International Judges (LJI) and the Ethical Chamber, held their respective meetings to work on projects and priorities for 2026.
Highlighting the success of what was a highly engaging FIM Commissions Conference, FIM President, Jorge VIEGAS said: “It is always a special moment when the FIM family comes together for the Commissions Conference, and this year has reinforced the importance of the occasion especially with the presentation of the FIM gold medals to three of our 2025 FIM World Champions.
The FIM is in a strong position thanks to the ongoing education and sharing of the wealth of experience that we have amongst our long serving experts. Hearing from our Championship Promoters their passion and vision is clear to see, this positive energy is contagious and is what makes motorcycling so special. I would like to congratulate all those whose years of service were rightly recognised and thank every member of the FIM family who has joined us in Lyon. I am confident that 2026 is going to be a great season thanks to the work that has been done and the cooperation that has been witnessed over the last three days.”
