The FIM Ride Green Team gains a seventh Environmental Ambassador!

Representing both genders and different cultures, motorcycling disciplines and geographical areas, this unusual team of top riders will lend their voices to convey the FIM’s sustainability policy and help to safeguard the future of the sport.

These top athletes are at the service of humanity and the future generations. They have been invited by the FIM to be leaders and play a major role in the contribution made by our sport to a greener and more sustainable world. Since 2013 the Ride Green Ambassadors team, composed of Randy de Puniet (France, SBK), Laia Sanz ( Spain, Enduro and Rally), Marc Márquez ( Spain, Moto GP World champion), Alex Salvini ( Italy, Enduro) and Valentino Rossi ( Italy, MotoGP) and Takahisa Fujinami (Japan, trial), have been making a big contribution to the sport.

Greg was born on 3 June 1970 in Whittier . Greg and his wife Jennie currently live in Costa Mesa, California and Norrtalje . They have three boys, Wilbur, Bill, and Karl. Greg started in junior speedway in Southern California and made his British debut with the Cradley Heathens in 1989. He is the 1997, 2011, and 2014 FIM World Speedway Champion, 1992 FIM World Pairs Champion, 1992, 1993, and 1998 FIM World Team Cup Champion and 8 times AMA National Speedway Champion. In winning the Championship in 2014, Greg became the oldest title winner, at 44 years 130 days. Greg has also won League Championships in the Czech Republic, , , Sweden, and . Greg’s riding number is 45 which he took after his mentor and two times FIM Speedway World Champion Bruce Penhall retired. Greg currently rides for Motola Piraterna in the Swedish Elitserien and PGE Stal Rzeszow in the Polish Ekstraliga.

Greg Hancock commented: “To become as a member of this programme as the 7th ambassador is a wonderful opportunity to complete my sport career. I believe that as athletes, we have a duty to society to give something back as a part of our social responsibility. The FIM ambassadors programme will give to me the opportunity to do my bit and inspire my fans and speedway followers to respect the planet. Through this sport, we can build a better future.

I have three children and I’m concerned about their future. As on the track, I will do my utmost to contribute through the FIM sustainability policy. It’s a great honour to share this team with this elite group of riders: Laia, Marc, Randi, Alex, Vale and Fuji, here we go and Ride Green!”

Paul Bellamy, managing director, BSI Speedway added: “Congratulations to on this honour. I am delighted that the FIM have recognised our speedway World Champion in this way. I am sure Greg will be a great ambassador for this project.”

Katia Juarez Hernandez, Director FIM International Environment Commission concluded: “After three years working with the Ride Green team, we can confirm the greater awareness achieved in our community through the work done by these fantastic athletes. Raising awareness is not easy, especially on topics not immediately associated with the sport but still crucial for its future. Now with the arrival of the seventh ambassador, Greg, the world of sustainable sport has its own seven wonders! And we can expect to see still more inspiration amongst our fans thanks to the messages conveyed by these exceptional riders.”

********* About Ride Green: Ride green is an overall concept used by the International Federation to promote its sustainability policy. The FIM Sustainability policy is very broad and includes the International Environment Commission, Programmes to organise sustainable events, education and training for Environmental Stewards, environmental education for younger riders, environmental educational messages supported by environmental ambassadors, outreach, working in coordination with other sports federations, mitigation measures included in the Environmental Code, communication programmes, campaigns to reduce noise levels and awareness campaigns, amongst others.