Business – The 2009 Mondial du deux-Roues is unifying and dynamic –

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The 2009 Mondial du deux-Roues aims to unite and dynamic

Business - The 2009 Mondial du deux-Roues is unifying and dynamic -

If the even years satisfy fans of round ball and other sports with the World Cup and the Olympic Games, the odd years delight French bikers thanks to the World Cup. What does the 2009 edition have in store for us? ? Presentation and video interviews.

At the end of the 2007 Mondial du deux-Roues (read our), AMC Promotion, the organizer, welcomed the "confirmed success"of its International Motorcycle and Cycle Show:"attendance and public interest were indeed confirmed by an increase compared to the previous edition, with 383,487 visitors and 2,592 journalists from 48 countries", identified the team of Thierry Hesse, who also organizes the Paris Motor Show.

Nevertheless, we observed in some visitors, exhibitors and other professionals some signs of weariness, discontent, even outright rejection, with in particular the pure and simple absence of the Piaggio group – of its scooters, of course, but also of its Aprilia brands. and Moto Guzzi! – or that of many small props…

Bring bikers and scooterists together

Among the main complaints, were frequently cited an excessively long duration of the show and – therefore – prohibitive prices for exhibitors, a certain lack of life, the lack of a visitor parking worthy of the name, a Hall 2.2 that looks like a fair, etc.

Having won hands down the call for tenders for the organization of the next two-wheeled world championship, Thierry Hesse and his surprise partner Claude Michy – the "GP de France Moto" man, among other major sporting events – have therefore decided to take up the challenge by offering a Paris salon that can, hopefully, compete with those in Cologne or Milan…

To do this, the show first changes its name: "the Mondial signature of two-wheelers remains, but it will now be called the Motorcycle and Scooter Show", underlines Thierry Hesse, perfectly aware of the transformation of the motorcycle market in France.

"Whether you are urban, sports enthusiast or fan of big cars, everyone must find their place", insists the general commissioner. Also, the 2009 Mondial aims to unify, and this at all levels: to attract visitors of all kinds, but also to bring together all the manufacturers – um, without exception -, props and equipment manufacturers who had, little by little and by force of circumstances, deserted Hall 1 then Hall 2…

Shorter … but more intense ?

Even more striking than the abandonment of the pompous "international" and the replacement of the word "cycle" by "scooter" in its name – the Mondial du Cycle remains relevant and will take place from October 2 to 4.

The 2009 World Cup will offer, over a shorter total period, "two living rooms in one" : the "General Public Motorcycle Show (long version)"in Hall 1 on the one hand, and the"Professional Motorcycle Show (short version)"in Hall 2.2 on the other hand !

Thus, the Main Hall will open its doors to the public from Friday October 2 – from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. for the general public – to Thursday October 8 at 10 p.m. Compared to the previous edition, it is therefore an entire weekend that is removed from the program.

Asked about his fears of not being able to beat his record for the number of visitors – as is de rigueur at each new edition for all shows! -, Thierry Hesse remains calm: "arithmetically, (with 1/3 of days less opening, Editor’s note), It is certain that it will be difficult to do better, but with at least 300,000 visitors, we will always remain the 3rd French show", recalls the general commissioner.

"And then as often, you have to know how to compose between intensity and duration: 2009 will be more intense than long", adds Claude Michy.

The trade fair war continues…

Raised by David Lecat, head of sales of the Moto product of Bridgestone France, the "problem" of the conduct, the same year, of two shows in France (Mondial de Paris and JPMS de Lyon) is well noted by the organizers of the Mondial. But the latter send the ball back to the exhibitors … "In life you have to make choices", says the boss of AMC Promotion before remarking:"We would like, as is the case in the automobile, to be able to discuss this with a "trade union chamber of equipment and accessories manufacturers". Unfortunately the voices remain scattered". Regarding the Professional Motorcycle and Scooter Days – which will take place in Lyon on February 8, 9 and 10, 2009 -,"we tried to see what we could do together", testifies Claude Michy,"but the meetings were not successful"…. For now! Because"the doors remain open for 2011", concludes Thierry Hesse … To be continued !

In Hall 1 and as has been the practice for years, the manufacturers and their novelties will therefore be camped, as well as the main equipment manufacturers and service providers in the world of motorcycles … and scooters! Unless some big brands can not be present, as anticipated by David Lecat of Bridgestone (see box opposite) ?

Hall 2.2 will host the "second" lounge: "more professional, allowing pros to meet their customers and prospects, but still open to the public", specify the organizers. And this meeting will try not to take the image" fair-to-all "conveyed by some merchants during the 2007 edition…

"We clearly wanted this phenomenon to be stopped", declares Thierry Archambault, deputy president of the CSIAM (International trade union chamber of automobiles and motorcycles), which has apparently registered several complaints from visitors and exhibitors.

No more merchants, second hand and the "Ecotechnic Village"

"We are doing our utmost to bring in or return exhibitors who had shunned us a little for reasons of duration and costs", points out for his part Thierry Hesse:"three days is what suits them", says the boss of AMC who will offer lower prices ("€ 120 per m2 against 150 previously") and halve the amount of the first deposit.

Finally, the presence of "small" exhibitors in Hall 2.2 will be limited to Saturday 3, Sunday 4 and Monday 5 October. Weekend visitors will therefore be able to see more things than others, but they will have to put up with more people in the aisles … Monday could therefore be the best time. !

Although the salons will close their doors at 7 p.m. that day, against 8 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays and 10 p.m. on other days! And then on Monday, no show evening is planned…

Animations and shows

Because although he denies it (see our video interview), Claude Michy’s leg will be clearly perceptible at the 2009 World Cup, since "Exceptional and original events will be organized at the Stadium (Hall 6) and outdoors", announces the organization !

So on the program, three big evenings at Porte de Versailles at 8:30 pm: "Supermotard" themes on Friday October 2, "Race of Champions and Stunt" on Saturday 3 and "Superquader" on Tuesday October 6.

Installed in stands which should be around 4,000 to 5,000 seats, spectators will be able to watch the big names of the Supermot ‘, the French motorcycle stars – Charpentier, Pichon, Bayle and others, depending on the calendars – and prestigious guests parade. : "Shumi? Why not !", launches the organizer of the GP of France.

Of course, the organization of such events entails costs, "from which the amounts of the entrance tickets are established", explains Claude Michy, because"there are notions of smoke evacuation and safety standards to be respected. But we will try to keep the price reasonable".

With a ladle, the Auvergne foresees "prices lower than 50 € for a show / evening entry". In front of the mines a bit disappointed journalists, Claude Michy relativizes:"it’s not more than a concert and it lasts longer". To meditate !

Also digging for Mr. Michy, the "good idea"suggested by Site to offer visitors a combined ticket Mondial 2009 – GP de France …"We will try to create a certain number of advantageous clubs.", he tells us in his video interview !

The motorcycle resists better than the car !

There is no question here of crash test, of course! "Motorcycles withstood the crisis better than cars, but 2009 will be difficult", estimates Thierry Archambault, president delegate of the CSIAM. Asked about the commercial practice which develops in the automobile to offer a second vehicle free of charge in the event of purchase of a large sedan, Mr. Archambault replied to the AFP: "I hope that we will not come to this kind of practice, from which it is then difficult to leave, for two-wheelers"As for the effect of this crisis on the number of entries, Mr. Hesse – also organizer of the Paris Motor Show – remains confident:"we can have surprises, this year with the car we made nearly 1.5 million entries. People want to take their mind off !"

We will have to wait until the end of March to be definitively fixed on all these prices. But we already know that the values ​​of entry tickets for the Mondial du deux-Roues will remain unchanged in 2009: 12 euros (6 € for 12-18 year olds and free for under 12s).

For this price, visitors will be able to stroll in the aisles of Hall 1 and 2.2 but also in the famous Stadium where they can follow on the big screen, for example, the exploits of Mike di Meglio at the GP of Portugal which will take place this weekend..

More testing

Likewise, the focus should be on testing: quad, off-road but also road, the organizers having noted that "manufacturers wanted to test their motorcycles and scooters in urban areas", and no longer on the sly behind the Halls, between the pillars of the ring road.

The demonstrations should also be more numerous: in addition to those usual of the FFM which hopes to welcome its spectators "with real stands", freestylers, stunters or those in charge of road safety should take turns in the space which in 2007 hosted the stillborn" Village Ecotechnic ".

"It was a big disappointment for us in terms of attendance", remarks on this subject Thierry Hesse. Arguing that the public – unlike the media and professionals – was not sensitive to this subject, the organizers therefore leave it to the manufacturers to communicate on the integration of the world of two-wheelers in "the global policy of respect for the environment".

Also at the origin of this disaffection undoubtedly, one can put forward the topographical isolation of the village … Hence "better signage, more communication via the media and our official website (online in January, Editor’s note) and the implementation of a shuttle system to connect the exhibition venues and the events", assures Claude Michy.

The latter would also have spotted "a land of 8,000 to 10,000 m2 asphalted, between the heliport and Aquaboulevard", to set up a real parking area for visitors. Will the experience of the French GP and its 13,500-space car park pay off? ?

Finally, we note the disappearance of the "Pôle occasion" (read), "maybe touched by the "merchants" of Hall 2.2", recognizes AMC Promotion, which does not exclude a return of this second-hand sales area in 2011. In 2007, this division enabled the sale of"more than 500 vehicles, nearly double that of its first edition".

Motorcycle and Scooter Show Hall 1, "long version"

  • Press and professional days: Thursday October 1 and Friday October 2 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

  • General public: Friday 2 from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.

  • Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

  • Monday 5 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

  • From Tuesday 6 to Thursday 8 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Motorcycle and Scooter Show Hall 2.2, "short version"

  • Press and professional days: Friday October 2 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

  • General public and professionals: Friday 2 from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.

  • Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

  • Monday 5 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Cycle Fair Hall 3

  • Press and professional days: Friday October 2 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

  • General public: Friday 2 from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.

  • Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Evening shows at the Stadium Hall 6

  • Supermoto evening: Friday October 2 8:30 p.m.

  • Race of Champions and Stunt Night: Saturday 3 at 8:30 p.m.

  • Superquader evening: Tuesday 6 at 8:30 p.m.

Prices

  • World Entrance: 12 €

  • Admission 12-18 years old: 6 €

  • Admission 12-18 years old: Free

  • Evenings: to be determined…

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