The world’s best motocross riders will once again gather in Afyonkarahisar, Turkey in September to compete for the championship.

MXGP TURKEY, one of the largest sporting events in sports tourism in the Republic of Turkey’s 100th year, and Turkey MotoFest, the country’s largest integrated youth and sports event, will be held in Afyonkarahisar in the first week of September under the auspices of the Presidency of the Republic of Turkey. The contribution of MXGP, which is broadcast in 180 countries, to promoting Turkey in the world is increasing day by day.

The Turkish round of the MXGP World Motocross Championship, featuring the world’s top motocross riders, will take place on September 2-3, 2023, while Turkey MotoFest, the country’s largest integrated youth and sports event, will be held from August 30 to September 3, 2023, in Afyonkarahisar. The launch meeting of the race and festival, which attracts the attention of young people and especially the high-income group from all over the world, was held in Istanbul.

“We welcome the world’s best racers to our city, which turns their race into a festival.”

Afyonkarahisar Governor Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kübra Güran Yiğitbaşı emphasized that even those who are familiar with the potential of Afyonkarahisar are constantly amazed, saying, “For the past 6 years, Afyonkarahisar has been hosting the World Motocross Championship, which is one of the most important sports competitions in the world. The MXGP World Motocross Championship, the MX Women’s World Motocross Championship, the MX2 World Youth Motocross Championship, and the European Motocross Championship will feature world-famous teams and athletes competing for top rankings between August 30 and September 3 this year. Even during the pandemic, Afyonkarahisar showcased its potential by organizing two races for Turkey’s largest organization.”

Governor Yiğitbaşı, stating that MXGP TURKEY held at Afyon Motorsports Center has been recognized with awards for infrastructure, paddock, and the best country promotion in recent years, continued her speech as follows:

“The most important feature of our city, where the world’s best motocross riders are determined, is that it transforms this race into a festival with its visitors. Turkey MotoFest, along with Turkey MotoFest Concerts, where our country’s stars perform, creates a completely different atmosphere with numerous youth activities. This year, we expect to exceed at least 300,000 participants in the event, which we have organized with Turkey’s and the world’s major brands. We invite everyone to our Afyonkarahisar, where festivals and major events take place.”

“Afyonkarahisar is the strongest candidate to become the capital of sports.”

Afyonkarahisar Mayor Mehmet Zeybek stated that Afyonkarahisar has become a city of sports, and 25 teams will have their summer camps in the city, adding that they are very close to becoming the sports capital of the world by hosting the World Motocross Championship, which they will host for the sixth time in the last 5 years. “A large part of Turkey is only 3 hours away from Afyon. Therefore, we are the most easily accessible city in Turkey. We are on the land where the fire of liberation was ignited and victory was achieved. We continue to maintain leadership in many areas, from eggs to gastronomy, from marble to meat. Our city will stand out again in the world and in Turkey with the 2023 World Motocross Championship and Turkey MotoFest.”

“A CITY THAT EMBRACES THE RACE: AFYONKARAHİSAR”

Bekir Yunus Uçar, the President of the Turkish Motorcycle Federation, stated that although the Turkish Motorcycle Federation is a young federation, it is among the most effective federations in terms of representing Turkey and developing athletes. He said, “A survey was conducted among young people asking which sport they would choose if they had the opportunity. Motorcycle racing came in fourth place. Therefore, as Turkey, we are hosting the MXGP, which requires great talent due to its challenging conditions, infrastructure, and organization, for the sixth time in the last 5 years.”

Uçar stated that the MXGP, held under the auspices of the Presidency, is the most consistent international organization held in Turkey and emphasized that this success is achieved because of the strong infrastructure and the city that fully embraces the organization.

The race, organized under the auspices of the Presidency of the Republic of Turkey, will take place at the Afyonkarahisar Motorsports Track, which is awarded as the best track in the world.

FOUR RACES TO BE HELD ON THE SAME WEEKEND

On September 2-3, 2023, four races will take place simultaneously in the world and European classification:

MXGP World Motocross Championship,

MX Women’s World Motocross Championship,

MX2 World Youth Motocross Championship,

European Motocross Championship (EMX250)

More than 150 riders from over 25 teams, including factory teams such as Yamaha, Honda, Kawasaki, KTM, Husqvarna, GasGas, TM, and Fantic, are expected to participate in the races to be held in Turkey.

INTRODUCING TURKEY TO MORE THAN 180 COUNTRIES

The Turkish stage of MXGP TURKEY, considered one of the most important races of the popular motocross races worldwide, reaches nearly 3.5 billion viewers in 186 countries where 7.3 billion people live. The races, where the world’s motocross stars compete, will fight for the podium in this year’s MXGP consisting of 19 stages, MX2 consisting of 6 stages, MXWOMEN consisting of 10 stages, and EMX250 consisting of 10 stages. A significant number of athletes from Turkey will also participate in the World and European Motocross races. 17-year-old Irmak Yıldırım, who participated in the Women’s World Motocross Championship for the first time from Turkey in the past two years, will also compete this year. Approximately 10 competitors will participate in the European race.

10 CONCERTS IN 5 DAYS AT TURKEY MOTOFEST

Turkey MotoFest, which will be the largest sports and youth event in Turkey, will open its doors on August 30 this year. The festival, which will continue until September 3, 2022, will bring together motorcycle enthusiasts from different parts of Turkey and the world. It is expected that nearly 300,000 visitors will attend Turkey MotoFest this year. The festival will feature various activities and sports events by many brands throughout the five-day period, and the concert program is as follows:

August 30, 2023, Wednesday: Can Gox – Işın Karaca August 31, 2023, Thursday: Güliz Ayla – Oğuzhan Koç September 1, 2023, Friday: Göknur – Ferhat Göçer September 2, 2023, Saturday: Öykü Gürman – Demet Akalın September 3, 2023, Sunday: Zara – Emircan İğrek

CONTRIBUTING MORE THAN 5 BILLION TL TO THE TURKISH ECONOMY

This year marks the fourth edition of MXGP TURKEY, the most important motocross race in the world. It was announced that MXGP TURKEY contributes more than 5 billion TL to the Turkish economy during the week of the race alone. MXGP Turkey and Turkey MotoFest, which are the most important events for the sports economy and tourism in Turkey, are expected to contribute even more to the Turkish economy this year.

TURKEY’S PROMOTION WORTH MORE THAN 300 MILLION EUROS

The global broadcasts of MXGP of TURKEY and the news about Turkey MotoFest contribute greatly to the promotion of Turkey. Last year, the value of the news and broadcasts of MXGP of TURKEY and Turkey MotoFest exceeded 300 million euros.

Furthermore, ticket sales have also started on passo.com.tr.

THE RISE OF THE MOTORCYCLE ECONOMY

The continuously growing motorcycle industry makes a significant contribution to the Turkish economy. The number of motorcycle riders, which constitutes 15% of every 100 registered vehicles in Turkey, is increasing year by year. The giants of the motorcycle industry consider Turkey as one of the important markets due to the increased interest in mobility, especially during the pandemic. Many major motorcycle brands are working on production in Turkey.