Ahead of the MXGP of Lombardia in Ottobiano, Italy, Youthstream President Giuseppe Luongo announced that the famous circuit at Imola will host the final round of the 2018 MXGP series.
The Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari will host the round on the provisional date of September 29/30, 2018 – the final round of the FIM World Motocross Championship. It’s a break from the last two seasons where the final round has been held in the United States.
Imola was born with Motocross in 1948 where it would host motocross international races until 1965. After 70 years MXGP is back for an event which will have a huge impact on motocross as a whole says Youthstream’s Luongo. “Today we have something fantastic to announce,” he said in a press release. “We are delighted to have come to an agreement with the “Autodromo Internazionale ‘Enzo e Dino Ferrari’ Imola”, and to be bringing motocross to the temple of two and four wheels in Imola is something fantastic, this will help our sport grow even more, and it enables us to present our sport to a wider public thanks to the circuit’s outstanding infrastructures and reputation.
“Together we plan to organise an extraordinary MXGP event, offering a unique show in Italy and the world. We would like to thank the staff of the Autodromo ‘Enzo e Dino Ferrari’ Imola and in particular its President, Uberto Selvatico Estense, for the trust they have shown towards our company and our sport.”
Formula Imola President Uberto Selvatico Estense stated: “We are very proud of this announcement. We have motocross in our DNA as it was part of Imola events from 1948 to 1965 and 70 year anniversary of his first race next year with this comeback.
“All the public and media in Imola are proud to have Motocross back. I’m sure the venue will be perfect to host the spectacular FIM Motocross World Championship. For us, this agreement is something we are very proud of. Today that we sign the agreement I wish to thank all of the team that has believed in this project, thank you to Youthstream, the International and the Italian Federations to make this dream true.”
FIM/CMS Director Tony Skillington was equally enthused: “On this very warm day, I have to say it’s an honour to be part of this announcement. The FIM is very proud and very excited about all the achievements the Motocross World Championship has reached and about his program. This shows the improvements of motocross. This is a new generation of facilities and organisation.”
President of Italian Federation Giovanni Copioli said: “The Staff at Imola are all friends and they already host great events. They are a milestone in the Italian scenario of events. They have a great professionalism, for them, motocross is a big challenge but I’m sure they can satisfy all expectations.”
The circuit will be built between paddock 2 and Rivazza hill. You can check out the preview of the track map below.
