26/02/03

FIM Press Release: Re World Enduro Champs - Morocco

"Individual World Two Days’ Enduro Championship Round in Morocco cancelled. Following the decision of the teams and riders not to take part in the round to be held in Tétouan, Morocco, on March 29-30 due to the war in Iraq, the Royal Moroccan Motorcycling Federation had no other alternative but to cancel this event, which would have been the first Enduro World Championship event held in Africa. The FIM accepts this cancellation, but considers that the attitude of the teams and riders is totally unjustified and contrary to the interests of the sport."

Even before the war this area, was highly unstable and not safe for an event of this nature. Since the war in Iraq has started there have been violent protests worldwide against the coalition forces. As a primarily Muslim nation, it was not considered safe to attend the event. In addition there have been reports of airport closures in Morocco, due to security threats and thus the team managers all signed a petition to abandon the event. The FIM were determined to go ahead and run it anyway, but due to the fact there was only on team (French Army!) who had said they would race, the event was cancelled.