FIM awards celebrate the successes of 2001.

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

A star-studded guest list headed by the 500cc king Valentino Rossi will descend 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-wheeled 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 Bayliss, whilst champions of the off-road world such as Mickael Pichon, Stefan Everts, Jamie Dobb and Dougie Lampkin will also be welcomed.

The Aosta Valley is the 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 Saturday for a morning of winter sports.

A press conference will be held in the afternoon before the FIM Awards Gala gets underway at 19:00 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 following:

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 Champion

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