Wednesday, 14 October 2009 21:12
It was in the pits at the Motocross of Nations, Saturday night. But it's really hard to call this celebration anything 'in the pits' ... as you'll see in the photos & video - it was quite a nice set up to present all the awards at a race!
For us at Supercross.com, of course the main focus was on the top MX riders that our site normally covers, including World MX2 Motocross Champion Marvin Musquin, World MX1 Motocross Champion Tony Cairoli, and Women's World Motocross Champion Stephanie Laier.
And, one of our own, former AMA Supercross and Motocross Champion Rick Johnson received an award - a lifetime acheivement award for his contributions to the sport, and also on behalf of the 1986 Motocross des Nations 'Dream Team' of RJ, David Bailey, and Johnny O'Mara - all former AMA Supercross and Motocross Champions as well.
There was an aspect of the FIM Off Road Awards that certainly was a surprise to me .... on Tuesday afternoon I was notified I was going to be co-host of the Awards! I was both happy to do it, excited, ... but also a bit nervous, since I had no preparation.
Let's start now with the actual awards that were given out:
Motocross
Special Awards
I'll let Mr. Daniele Rizzi, Press Officer of Youthstream, explain the evening in more detail. Thanks Daniele!
The prize giving for the Motocross Champions of 2009 turned out to be a show within the show of the entire weekend of the biggest MX of the year, The Red Bull Motocross of Nations, as the invited guests enjoyed the festive celebration & gala dinner at the end of a great day of qualifying and racing.
The proceedings started off at 6:30pm, with the prize giving in Franciacorta's paddock, where a massive crowd was offered the FIM Awards Show for the first time. For all the fans attending it was their only time to see their Champions walk up a stage in glamorous style, and receive an award in a completely different context than the Grand Prix paddocks or tracks.
MX1 Motocross World Champion Cairoli opened up the proceedings by offering his shirt and helmet to Dr. Rocco Crimi, Italian Secretary of Sport - the gift was collected on his behalf by Italian Senator Mr. Giovanni Torri, to Mr. Svilen Neykov, the Bulgarian Minister of Sports, and to Mr. Mareks Seglins, the Latvian Minister of Justice.
FIM President Mr. Vito Ippolito, Youthstream President Mr. Giuseppe Luongo and FIM/CMS President Dr. Wolfgang Srb presented the medals and plates to the awarded personalities on the stage, with thrilling video clips being run in between each group of awarded personalities.
After the prize giving was completed, Youthstream's guests moved to the VIP area for the gala dinner, where the participants could eat the best specialties of European cuisine prepared by the professional chefs of the Pit Lounge Restaurant. (It was awesome!)
During the dinner several surprise gifts were handed out. Dr. Srb received a special book of the Italian Senate by Senator Torri. Mr. Luongo received a unique painting by Rob Kinsey featuring a scene of the Maggiora MXoN in 1986 - the likes of the last lap Johnson/Bailey parade of the final heat. Ricky Johnson himself helped in presenting the masterpiece.
Before the night finished, a special cake was handed to former AMA Supercross and Motocross Racer, Motocross and Trophee des Nations winner, and MXGP competitor Danny 'Magoo' Chandler, who turned 50 on Monday, October 5.
The video is approx. 15 minutes
Click on the thumbnail to view the larger images.
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