Pursuing its policy of strengthening the relationship with the motorcycle industry initiated by FIM President Vito Ippolito last year in Japan, a FIM delegation went to Bologna, Italy, on Wednesday in order to meet representatives of the Ducati factory. The delegation was headed by Mr Vito Ippolito, FIM President, accompanied by Messrs Guy Maitre, FIM CEO, Ignacio Verneda, FIM Sports Director, and Olivier Godallier, FIM Marketing Director. A visit of the factory was organised, followed by a meeting with Ducati board members, Messrs. Gabriele Del Torchio, Ducati Managing Director, Claudio Domenicali, Ducati Product General Manager and Ducati Corse Managing Director, Corrado Cecchinelli, Ducati Corse Vice General Manager, and Filippo Preziosi, Ducati Corse Technical Director/General Manager. Various subjects were discussed, among them the global problems of the environment and alternative energies, the harmonisation of Superbike Technical Rules for all the major existing National Championships, new Technical Rules for Superbike as from 2010 (motorcycles closer to production series), and the technical development in competition in general. The Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme has, for the first time ever, initiated a comprehensive strategic planning process. The FIM’s objectives are similar to those of all organisations undergoing strategic planning: to clearly define its mission, its vision for the future and the means of reaching these goals. Within this context, the support and the input of the whole motorcycle industry, as a major stakeholder of motorcycle sport, are essential. The FIM wishes to establish a permanent and regular line of communication with the industry on various matters involving the different motorcycle sport disciplines as well as for non-sporting aspects (motorcycle users, road safety and public policy, etc.) Mr Ippolito then presented Mr Del Torchio with a FIM plaque.