Youthstream replaces Dorna, two motos return.

At yesterday's FIM press conference it was formally announced that Dorna's Motocross World Championship contract would be terminated at the end of the year, and that Youthstream would take over as the rights holders for the series.

The news had been long predicted, with Dorna unable to replicate their MotoGP success in the off-road series, while several controversial measures, such as one-moto races (as occur in MotoGP), had alienated many fans, teams and riders.

Youthstream have also acquired the rights to the Motocross of Nations, which they say they will return to "the old system... bringing all the biggest National teams and fans for the greatest Motocross race of the year."

Last year's event was a shadow of its former self, when the planned event in California was cancelled at short notice, and the replacement - several weeks later - was without the top riders.

"Motocross is a sport made up of two very important and necessary components - professionalism and amateurism from the Organizers, Riders, Teams, Press and Federations - Youthstream will do their best to respect this combination," stated Giuseppe Luongo, President of Youthstream. "From experience, we thoroughly understand how valuable it is to discuss and listen to ideas from all those involved - Federations, Riders, Teams, Manufacturers, Organizers, Fans and Press."

Luongo stated that after discussions with the FIM, Motocross manufacturers and other parties, the following changes are imperative:

1. To offer more rights and freedom to the Organizers for their own advertising, hospitality, stands, National TV rights and to produce their own Grand Prix passes.

2. To open the paddock to the fans

3. To return to the traditional system of two races per class

4. To make the race programme longer and more attractive for the spectators. Saturday - all the practises, one 125cc race and one 650cc race. Sunday - the two races of MXGP and the second race of 125cc and 650cc.

5. To have the last race on Sunday finish at 17h00, this will allow more people to be able to come to the event.

6. To make a delayed TV programme of 1 hour, that is broadcasted about 3 or 4 hours after the race at prime time (21h00), this will enable us to create a programme concentrated on the excitement and show of the event. The production will be made with a hobby van and with a live system to catch all the images, we will use portable cameras for the special shots and a camera on-board which will record images. Naturally, at the end of the race we will have the news on satellite.

7. To come back to the old system of Motocross Des Nations, of bringing all the biggest National teams and fans for the greatest Motocross race of the year.

8. To make a calendar for a true World Championship including many different countries with overseas Grand Prix' - to achieve this, the costs of organizing an overseas Grand Prix will be reduced.

9. Maintain the big respect we have for the FIM, the Jury-system and of course continue with dialogue and partnership with the FMN, MXMA and all the other partners.

10. Naturally, all the necessary services will be continued; time keeping with transponder and split time, electricity, water and sound system in the paddock, hospitality, press office, permanent passes, track designer, pit lane with all it's services, internet...

"To stay out of Motocross and be far from the every day involvement for 2 years has given me the possibility to look at things more objectively," explained Luongo, "I can see the good and the less good that we did with Action Group in the past, and I can see what has happened in Motocross in the past two years.

"Clearly, the professionalism, television and technology that is in Motocross today was brought by AGI (Action Group International) and at that time it was necessary to make the big step forward because if we did not make these strong efforts, we could never know it's true potential. Now, after the efforts of, first, AGI, then after Dorna off-road we distinctly see the possibilities of this sport. We have to aim to keep all the good, use the most recent technology and for the sporting and relationship side, take a step back toward the more traditional times - I believe with these compromises it will be the best solution for everybody and Motocross will run like a dream.

"Youthstream has a strong respect in the FIM leadership and the secret of Youthstream's success is the belief in partnership, to work professionally with passion and maintain a healthy dialogue and respect for all the partners. It's highly motivated and professional staff will manage both FIM World Championships - Motocross as well as S1 SuperMoto - in the best possible way. It is obvious that it is necessary to create business because there are around 70 families who live with the work created directly from Youthstream, and around 500 families who live with the money brought from SuperMoto and Motocross. But, our respect for business comes after our respect for the safety and of the value of the sports that we manage.

"Because of the strong FIM and FIM Motocross Commission (CMS), this product has a true value, they give a balance of all the different interests. It is clear the FIM is the owner of the building, and the promoters are merely tenants who rent for some years, we have to act on the rules made by the owner.

"The races before the AGI and DOR period did not have anything resembling this, many of the races were organized on a similar level as some local Championships. I still remember the first 10 minutes of every race we had on Eurosport in 1996 - the people could not believe it. It is important to remember the development this sport has made over a reasonably short time, but unfortunately, we also do not have the same market as road racing or the following of football, F1 or cycling. This is the reality and not to disappoint, we have to be realistic, work with this and give truly our best - then Motocross will flourish along with all the parties involved and we will reach the highest level possible for this sport."

"I am delighted about the return of Giuseppe Luongo to the FIM Motocross World Championship," said Wolfgang Srb, President of the FIM Motocross Commission. "He has been a very professional partner in the past and I am very optimistic for the cooperation FIM/CMS - Youthstream in the years to come. We will work very hard in the next weeks, together with our partners from the riders and teams, the manufacturers, the Federations as well as the organizers, on a great future of Motocross."

Stefan Pierer, Chairman of the Motocross Manufactures Association (MXMA), added: "First of all the MXMA is glad that the FIM was able to present the new promoter of the "FIM Motocross World Championship" in time to get prepared for the upcoming season.

"In Mr. Luongo, a highly experienced promoter has been nominated who has a deep insight to our sport. Due to his involvement we believe in a further increase of the popularity of the Motocross World Championship and a fruitful cooperation between riders, manufacturers and local promoters in the upcoming future.

"We also would like to take this as an opportunity to express our thanks to Dorna Off Road who have done a highly recognized job over the last years. The transfer of experience and knowledge from Road Racing and especially their close cooperation with the MXMA ended up in a deep involvement of the manufacturers and precise technical regulations."