FIM will start E-Xplorer World Cup in 2022
The FIM today confirmed the launch of a new international series entirely dedicated to electric off-road motorcycles. This competition will be called the FIM E-Xplorer World Cup and will start in the spring of 2022.
The series is a world first at this level and is a response to the growing demand for electrically powered motorsport. As a leader in this sector, the FIM began competing electric motorcycles in circuit racing as early as 2010 with the FIM E-Power International Championship – the forerunner of the current MotoE series – and in more recent years off-road competition with the FIM EBike Enduro World Cup, the FIM E-XBike World Cup and the FIM Trial-E World Cup.
The series, which is sanctioned by the FIM, will be led by CEO and promoter Valentin Guyonnet, who has more than a decade of experience, and will be assisted by highly regarded global sports marketing and events developer Carina Munte as CCO. In addition, the series is backed by Alejandro Agag, CEO of Extreme E and Chairman of Formula E and the E1 Series, plus Eric Peronnard, respected promoter and sports advisor to ESPN X-Games and Red Bull Straight Rhythm.
Five races will take place during the first season in a mix of urban and natural environments around the world, with tentative locations ranging from the United States to Switzerland, all designed to encourage viewers to explore the outdoors while reducing their impact on the environment to minimize.
A total of 10 teams will compete with two riders each; one man and one woman and they will consist of a mix of leading manufacturers and existing professional racing teams. The participants will race on two-wheeled off-road motorcycles powered by one 100% electric motor with a maximum weight of 130 kg. An evaluation process will also be conducted this month to determine what additional needs manufacturers have, in addition to a rigorous testing program already underway.
Jorge Viegas, President of the FIM, stated: “Our FIM Environmental Code is seen by many others as the benchmark for delivering sustainable events, so our continued and growing commitment to integrating electric motorcycles into our existing championships has always been a natural path. However, the FIM E-Xplorer World Cup marks an important moment on this important road. The FIM is proud to be part of this exciting new project and will provide all necessary support to ensure its success during its first season and well into the future as electric propulsion will become a dominant player in our sport."
Alejandro Agag, considered one of the pioneers of sustainable motorsport and a supporter of the new series, said: “I have always had a vision that the future of motorsport should be electric, and that is now being realized. From where it all started with Formula E, to Extreme E, the E1 Series and now, and now E-Xplorer. The FIM, Eric Peronnard and the highly experienced team at E-Xplorer, have big plans and names to reveal in the coming weeks and months as they prepare for next year's inaugural event and what will undoubtedly continue the electric revolution on two wheels promote."
Renowned motorsports promoter Eric Peronnard joins the project as a consultant and adds: “We should have had a credible motorcycle series in the off-road segment long ago and for me E-Xplorer is it. I've been a fan of electric motorcycles since the beginning – I even started the first electric motorcycle race in 2008 – and I've been riding them since they came on the market; they're quiet, better for the planet, better for racing and just a lot more fun! A platform like E-Xplorer is the ideal opportunity for manufacturers to showcase not only their technology, but also their support for the future of motorcycling."
E-Xplorer CEO Valentin Guyonnet said: “We are delighted to make this announcement today together with the FIM. We've seen the growing trend of electric racing and the convergence of sport and sustainability, so for us the next step was to extend that to motorcycling. In addition to creating a platform to test electric two-wheeler technology, we want to challenge the current perception of motorcycles and their riders to excite the next generation, and present a global e-mobility solution that is not just limited to cars. The interest we have already received from recognized manufacturers and leading motorcyclists has been incredible and we look forward to sharing details for our global launch event in due course.”
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