FUNCHAL (Portugal), 13 October 2011 – Youthstream confirms the signature of a new agreement to bring the FIM Motocross World Championships back into Russia, a news which has no precedent in history being this a four year deal related to the brand new venue Semigorje. The partners Investment Trade Bank and The Technical Sports Centre SEMIGORJE – the latter being one of the Bank’s investments - headed by Mr. Vladimir Gudkov and Mr. Valerij Kruglov respectively are set to organize the best Grand Prix the country has ever had and count on Youthstream to bring their specific know-how in the sport.

The last time the FIM Motocross World Championship travelled to Russia was back in 2002 in Sorochany, a track located 59 km away from Moscow. The Russian track hosted the last Grand Prix of the season, but Michael Pichon and Stefan Everts had already achieved the 250cc and 500cc titles. However, the French rider Michael Maschio pulled the 125cc title on his Kawasaki machine from Steve Ramon and Patrick Caps.

The Technical Sports Centre Semigorje is located close to the lovely Country Hotel Semigorje set up on the territory of 40 ha overlooking picturesque banks of the Volga river at about 400 kms from the capital of Russia.

Mr. Giuseppe Luongo, the Youthstream President, commented: 'The MX1 / MX2 Grand Prix of Russia is another significant step for the evolution of the FIM Motocross World Championship. Russia is the biggest country in the world and has one of the most important markets, the economy in Russia is rapidly growing as is the motorcycle market industry. With the financial crash in Europe and USA, to develop our Championship and to find new revenue it's imperative to go to growing markets and Russia is one of the first, and we have to continue with Asia, Middle East and South America where we are already present. The future of our sport is tightly linked to the economy, therefore it's important to follow the worldwide market evolution.

We want to thank Mr. Vladimir Gudkov and his staff for believing in our project, and together we make the 2012 MX1 /MX2 Grand Prix of Russia the biggest Motocross event in the World.'

The Chairman of the Management Board of Investment Trade Bank (OJSC “Investtradebank”) Mr. Mr. Vladimir Gudkov: “Implementation of large-scale international tournaments and world championships in Russia will certainly provide a new impulse to development of popular sports in our country. In the framework of social responsibility of business we always encourage significant sport and social projects. One of these projects is construction and modernization of technical sports centre in Semigorje, able to host world-scale competitions. Healthy lifestyle, popularization of physical culture and sport, success of our sportsmen at the international level - all that means higher image of our country, our deserved pride and a pledge of health of our nation”.

Dr. Wolfgang Srb, FIM/CMS Director commented: “To expand the number of countries in which the FIM Motocross World Championship is organized is very high on the agenda of the Motocross Commission of the FIM. New countries mean more potential sponsors and media coverage, help to develop the sport and increase the market. A MX GP in Russia is one step closer to this important target”


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Photo: From left to right: Gudkov, Kruglov, Rizzi - Youthstream Operations Director, Freimanis – President of Baltic Cup Foundation

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