The Italian mountain resort of Valle d'Aosta is the scene of excited activity as final p๊reparations are made for the 2001 FIM🤪 World Champions Award Ceremony.

A star-studded guest list headed by the 500cc king Valentino Rossi will d🧜escend on the picturesque valley in the heart of the Alps on Friday the 14th December and will head for home🍷 after a full weekend of festivities on Sunday morning.

The annual awards ceremony will pay tribute to 26 FIM World Champions crowned during yet another year of spectacular action across the two-wheeleไd disciplines of top level motorsport competition.

The spa town of Saint-Vicent, home to the renowned Casino de la Vall?e, will greet road racing stars such as Valentino Rossi, Max Biaggi, Loris Capirossi, Daijiro Katoh, Manuel Poggiali and Troy Bay﷽liss, whilst champions of the off-road world such as Mickael Pichon, Stefa🦩n Everts, Jamie Dobb and Dougie Lampkin will also be welcomed.

The Aosta Valley is t🎀he perfect venue for the riders to unite and celebrate their achievements. After a casual dinner on Friday night, they will take to the slopes of one of the highest and most beautiful of European mountains on Satur🍷day for a morning of winter sports.

A press conference will be held in the afternoon before the FIM Awards Gala gets underway at 19:0🦋0 in the extravagant surroundings of the Palais St. Vincent. The ceremony will run from 19:30 to 21:30 and will be followed by dinner and entertainment.

The list of World Champions to be honoured at the FIM Awards Gala 2001 are the followin✱g:

Road Racing World Champions

Valentino Rossi (ITA): 500cc Grand Prix World ChampionDaijiro Katoh (JPN): 250cc Grand Prix World ChampionManuel Poggiali (RSM): 125cc Grand Prix World ChampionTroy Bayliss (AUS): Superbike World ChampionAndrew Pitt (AUS): Supersport World ChampionKlaus Klaffenboeck (AUT): Sidecar World Champion (rider)Christian Parzer (AUT): Sidecar World Champion (passenger)Wim Motors Racing (BEL): Team Endurance World ChampionLaurent Naveau (BEL) Albert Aerts (BEL) Heinz Platacis (AUS)

Motocross World Champions:

Mickael Pichon (FRA): 250cc Motocross World ChampionStefan Everts (BEL): 500cc Motocross World ChampionJames Dobb (GBR): 125cc Motocross World ChampionKristers Sergis (LAT): Sidecar Cross World Champion (rider)Artis Rasmanis (LAT): Sidecar Cross World Champion (passenger)

Trial World Champions:

Dougie Lampkin (GBR): Trial World Champion and Indoor Trial World ChampionLaia Sanz (SPA): FIM Women's Trial Cup winner

Enduro World Champions:

Petteri Silvan (FIN): 125cc 2 stroke Two Days' Enduro World ChampionJuha Salminen (FIN): 250cc 2 stroke Two Days' Enduro World Champion and Overall Two Days' Enduro World ChampionStephane Peterhansel (FRA): 250cc 4 stroke 2 days Enduro World ChampionStefan Merriman (AUS): 400cc 4 stroke Two Days' Enduro World ChampionAnders Eriksson (SWE): Over 500cc 4 stroke ♑Two Days' Enduro World Cha🅷mpion

Track Racing World Champions:

David Kujawa (POL): Individual Speedway Junior World ChampionGerd Riss (GER): Long Track World ChampionKyril Drogalin (RUS): Individual Ice Racing World ChampionTony Rickardsson (SWE): Individual Speedway Grand Prix World Champion