World Motocross sees stunning growth in 2005

World Motocross' as a whole' has made huge gains through the 2005 season compared to the last years:

The FIM Motocross World Championship season finished with an almighty bang in ErnÌ©e. The victory of Team USA was enormous in front of more than 60'000 spectators on Saturday and Sunday and millions of TV viewers ‰ÛÒ 50 countries showed the event live and almost 100 countries are broadcasting the event delayed.

www.mediazone.com ran live internet coverage of every Grand Prix with English commentary that was available to anyone in the world with an internet connection.

The press room has become much more equipped with fast internet lines' results sent via e-mail immediately to each journalist and in general more comfortable.

Japan was brought back to the FIM Motocross World Championship' giving more value to the manufacturers' team and fans.

The list of highlights of the season are to numerous to mention but to conclude' it looks like world motocross is certainly on its way back to the glory days.

Below are some facts and figures of the year that was:

Total MX1 riders entered		123 from 19 different countries
Average MX1 riders' age		25
Total MX2 riders entered		152 from 21 different countries
Average MX2 riders' age		22.5
Total number of spectators per year		2002 2003 2004 2005	213'400 193'000 349'000 450'400
Total number of journalists per year		2002 2003 2004 2005	733 1'015 1'454 1'538
Total number of hours broadcasted world wide over the year		590 hours
Average number of TV audience world wide per event		34 million
Average number of countries who receive the live programme		44
Average number of countried who receive the delayed and/or highlight programme		100
Total number of homes who receive the FIM Motocross World Championship via cable or satellite		240 million
Average number of people who visit the official web-site www.MotocrossMX1.com per event		25'000
Average number of page visits on the official web-site per event		625'000
Average number of hits to the official web-site per event		2.5 million

MXON Figures

National Teams

Entered 36

Present 28

Spectators	2002 Bellpuig	12,000
	2003 Zolder	23,000
	2004 Lierop	35,000
	2005 Ernée	60,000

Journalists	2002 Bellpuig	46
	2003 Zolder	171
	2004 Lierop	161
	2005 Ernée	224

Internet	2005 Ernée	Visitors	58,400
		Pages viewed	1,680,000
		Overall hits	3,500,000

Television	2005 Ernée	Live and slightly delayed	55 countries
		Highlights and delayed	100 countries
		News world wide via	EBU Eurovision-SNTV

The Live Internet Streaming company Media Zone was thrilled by the results. Resa Lee said' "The MX of Nations was a smash! The number of purchases for the one race was phenomenal as well as all the feedback from customers and the excitement on the message boards."

"The MX1 and MX2 World Championship events showed Motocross at its best' on the highest possible level'" says Wolfgang Srb' President of the Motocross Commission of the FIM. "There were so many exciting races all through the year with the best riders of the world participating. The highly anticipated return of the FIM Motocross World Championship to Japan was a huge success and was important for all the partners involved. The Motocross of Nations' the "Olympic Games of Motocross"' was the biggest event in history and proved again to be the most important race of the world. Ern̩e was the highlight of the season for me."

"The infrastructure' circuit standards and circuit preparation' organisation and promotion have again been increased and have reached new levels over the past. The TV coverage of the World Championship was bigger than ever and the opportunity to watch the events live on internet was another most important achievement."

"I would like to thank Giuseppe Luongo and his staff for the great work and congratulate them to the success. 2005 was' without any doubt' a season to be remembered'" concludes Wolfgang Srb.

The President of Youthstream, Mr. Giuseppe Luongo, said, "The results talk alone. I hope everybody remembers what the value of our sport was just a few years ago and how the circuits were compared to now.

"The US riders‰Ûª positively suprised me at the FIM Motocross of Nations with their speed and high level of professionalism on and off the track' I really appreciated the positive comments about our organization and I want to thank them all for their support towards the MXON.

"I would like to thank all Teams for coming and making an outstanding MXON - strong but fair competition. The FIM President' Avv. Francesco Zerbi' and the French Sporting Minister, Mr. Jean-Fran̤ois Lamour, honoured us with their presence and gave even more presige to the event.

"It has been a tough year' but the most important is that the results are positive. It‰Ûªs also a pleasure to finally have an open dialogue with teams and riders and that a large majority of people involved in Motocross realize the improvements that have been made.

"By finishing on such a positive note' we are excited to begin the 2006 season. We want to continue to improve the FIM Motocross World Championship and UK is the perfect place to continue the success of the FIM Motocross of Nations with Bike It as organizer. Youthstream wants to thank the FIM' MSMA' sponsors' organizers' television companies' press' industries' teams and riders for all the co-operation and support they have given throughout the year. And a special thanks goes out to the enormous number of fans who show their support.

"A negative point' I‰Ûªm sorry to have to bring this up.... It‰Ûªs a shame the season is finished and we have to wait 6 months to re-start the Championship!!

"With FIM and Youthstream Motocross is in good hands and in very good health'" ends Mr. Luongo.