Bitci MXGP of Turkey Opening Ceremony Kicks-off the Weekend Festivities.
The 2021 Bitci MXGP of Turkey was declared open following an exciting official opening ceremony which was held at the main stage of the Afyon festival area. A large crowd of Turkish fans gathered to celebrate the return of MXGP in Afyon, creating an incredible atmosphere that was deeply missed by the paddock.
After missing out on an event in 2020, the Turkish Grand Prix returns for 2021 and will host the first double header with the Bitci MXGP of Turkey and Bitci MXGP of Afyon. The two races will be a part of a unique motocross festival that will take place over the next few days as public will be able to enjoy the races in person.
Infront Moto Racing CEO David Luongo, FIM/CMS Director Antonio Alia Portela, Afyonkarahisar Governor Gökmen Çiçek, Afyonkarahisar Mayor Mehmet Zeybek, Former Minister of Water and Forest Veysel Eroğlu, Afyonkarahisar Deputy Ali Özkaya, Afyonkarahisar Deputy İbrahim Yurdunuseven, Turkish Motorcycle Federation Vice President Mahmut Nedim Akülke were met by a supportive crowd as they took to the stage to welcome everybody to Afyon and to share their commitment and appreciation for once again holding the Turkish Grand Prix in Afyon, but this time for a special double-header event.
Infront Moto Racing CEO David Luongo: “Good evening everybody. It’s a fantastic feeling to be here after last year where we were not be able to have this GP. It is very good to see so many young people here attending this fantastic event. I hope everybody will enjoy this weekend of races and I wish you a fantastic weekend for the Bitci MXGP of Turkey, thank you very much”.
FIM/CMS Director Antonio Alia Portela: „It is a privilege and an honour to be back in Afyon one more time for a double header of the FIM MXGP & MX2 Motocross World Championship series and on behalf of the FIM I would like to welcome everybody to these events. We all know that we have waited too long to be back in Turkey, however, I am sure that it will pay off when the best motocross riders in the world make their motorbikes roar through the track and fight for a place in the podium. I wish all the participants all the best for the events and hope that you enjoy the races.“
Afyonkarahisar Governor Gökmen Çiçek: “It’s a big pleasure to welcome MXGP again here. Being an international event, Afyonkarahisar is not only under the eyes of the whole Turkey but we are under the spotlights worldwide.”
Afyonkarahisar Mayor Mehmet Zeybek: „The venue in Afyonkarahisar is hosting these two events with a very good organization and high standards facilities. We have been Awarded at the MXGP Awards with several prizes in the past and we are aiming to reach that milestone this year too”.
Turkish Motorcycle Federation Vice President Mahmut Nedim Akülke: „We are very proud to host the Motocross World Championship in Afyonkarahisar for the third time. I would like to thank everyone who supports for making this event possible”
Personnel from the paddock, including the MXGP, MX2, WMX and EMX Open riders were also in attendance to enjoy the festivities as they were able to soak in the atmosphere and try out local delicacies. Riders including Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Glenn Coldenhoff, Gebben Van Venrooy Yamaha Racing’s Kevin Strijbos, F&H Racing Team’s Mikkel Haarup and Mathys Boisrame, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Jed Beaton and Kay De Wolf, Diga Procross GasGas Factory Racing’s Simon Längenfelder, Honda Racing Assomotor’s Stephen Rubini and Emil Weckman, Yamaha Racing 243’s Larissa Papenmeier, Jezik Racing Team’s Jamie Astudillo, JK Racing’s Line Dam and Gerard Congost, Husqvarna M.C.R. Racing Team’s Simone Croci, Davide De Bortoli along with local Turkish riders who joined the officials on stage to take the family photo in a warm and colourful moment in front of the Turkish sunset and kick start the 2021 Bitci MXGP of Turkey.
Text/Bild: Infront Moto Racing