The FIM Racing Motorcycle Museum (RMM) in Mies, Switzerland, provided an entirely fitting location on Friday (13 November) for a very special ceremony when five legends of motorcycle sport were each inducted into the FIM Hall of Fame.
Celebrating their outstanding achievements in their chosen disciplines, Ángel Nieto – FIM Grand Prix, Tony Rickardsson – FIM SpeedwayGP, Jordi Tarrés – FIM TrialGP, Stéphane Peterhansel – FIM RallyGP / FIM EnduroGP and Stefan Everts – FIM MXGP were honoured in a programme that brought together champions, the media and fans.
Inducted posthumously, Spanish racer Nieto won thirteen FIM Grand Prix World Championships – six on 50cc machines and seven on 125cc machines – between 1969 and 1984. Famously superstitious about the number thirteen, he would always refer to his tally of titles as ‘twelve plus one’ and this was reflected in the wording on his Hall of Fame commemorative plaque.
Along with Nieto’s son Gelete who represented his late father, Swedish six-time FIM Speedway Grand Prix World Champion Rickardsson was joined at the RMM by Spain’s seven-time FIM Trial World Champion Tarrés, two-time FIM Enduro World Champion and six-time Dakar Rally motorcycle winner Peterhansel from France and Belgium’s ten-time FIM Motocross World Champion Everts.
After lunch for the assembled guests and members of the media followed by press interviews, the Induction Ceremony commenced with a speech by FIM President Jorge Viegas. Each inducteewas then introduced with a dedicated video and presented with an individually numbered watch made by B.R.M Chronographes.
Their handprints were then taken for the chequered flag centrepiece in the RMM garden – where they will join handprints from 2025 inductees Giacomo Agostini, Sammy Miller, Carmelo Ezpeleta and Harry Everts – before each new FIM Hall of Famer was invited to give a speech.
The Induction Ceremony concluded with an autograph session for fans and members of the public.
Tony Rickardsson stated: “It’s a huge honour to be part of such an exclusive group of riders. I’m super excited, and I’ll carry this with me for the rest of my life.”
Jordi Tarrés explained: “It’s incredible, isn’t it? To be here at the FIM after all these years and know they still think of me tells me I did something important for the sport of trial. Of course, my era was different from Toni Bou’s. I was a pioneer.”
Stéphane Peterhansel commented: “I’d never really thought about it before because you’re so caught up in the moment and in what you’re doing. But now that I’ve had time to reflect, it’s deeply rewarding. That kind of lasting recognition from the motorcycle world means a lot to me. As I’ve said, I race cars too, but motorcycles are still my first passion. Being inducted into the FIM Hall of Fame is a great honour, and it gives me a chance to look back and appreciate how far I’ve come. I started out in enduro, of course, but racing the Dakar on a motorcycle was a big part of my life, and it took a lot of hard work. This honour reminds me that I wrote a small page in the sport’s history. Thank you to the FIM for choosing me for the Hall of Fame.”
Stefan Everts said: “It may sound like a cliché, but it’s a huge honour to be here. I’m proud of what I achieved in motocross and the part I played in the sport, and I’m so happy to finally be inducted into the Hall of Fame. My father was here last year, and I’m delighted to follow in his footsteps. Thank you to the FIM for creating this museum and Hall of Fame.”
FIM President Jorge Viegas concluded by saying: “It has been a memorable day and one that has allowed us to recognise the outstanding achievements of these five riders who have helped shape motorcycle sport and, through their considerable endeavours, continue to inspire future generations of riders. We were privileged to have four such undisputed legends of motorcycle sport together for their induction into the FIM Hall of Fame and this momentous occasion was made all the more special by the attendance of the sons of the late Ángel Nieto.”
