Bibione Sand Storm
| FIM Sand Races World Championship | |
|---|---|
| Location | Bibione, Italy 45°38′01″N 13°03′36″E / 45.6334792°N 13.0600505°E |
| Corporate sponsor | Acerbis |
| First race | 2024 |
| Most wins (driver) |
|
| Circuit information | |
| Surface | Sand |
| Length | 7 km (4.3 mi) |
The Bibione Sand Storm is an annual series of motorcycle and quad beach races held on the Piazzale Zenith sands of Bibione, San Michele al Tagliamento, Italy. It was first run in 2024 as a round of the FIM Sand Races World Cup. Organised by the moto club BB1 it is sanctioned by the Federazione Motociclistica Italiana (FMI) and the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM)[1] and sponsored by the Italian sporting goods manufacturer Acerbis[2] and the Veneto region.[3]
History
The FIM wanted to expand the World Sand Races Cup calendar for 2024, including a round in Italy. The local and regional authorities were keen to host the event to increase tourism and Bibione was chosen.[4] The event took place on 1-3 November 2024.[3] As well as the racing other forms of entertainment were included in the weekend. Vanni Oddera and the Daboot crew (Massimo Bianconcini and Francesco Buetto) put on exhibitions of freestyle motocross[5] and as part of the Mototerapia initiative, children and young people with disabilities were able to experience being on dirt bike.[6] A food and entertainment area was set up by the Piazzale Zenith including a giant LED wall where live feeds from the race are shown.[7] About 50,000 spectators attended and there were over 100 participants.[2]
For 2025 the World Cup had been upgraded by the FIM to a full World Championship.[8] The Bibione round was brought forward a week to 24-26 October to avoid clashes with other motorcycle events. The format of the weekend followed that of the previous year.[9] Over 80,000 spectators attended.[10]
Bibione is scheduled to host the second round of the 2026/2027 FIM Sand Races World Championship on 23-25 October 2026.[11]
Race format
The 6 km (3.7 mi) temporary circuit built on the broad sands of Bibione is supervised by six-time World Enduro Champion Giovanni Sala and based on his design. It originally had a fast 2.5 km (1.6 mi) starting straight before heading into a slower section with technical curves, potholes, dunes, canals and jumps.[3] For 2025 the course layout was revised to make it more challenging. This increased the length to nearly 7 km (4.3 mi) including a 3 km (1.9 mi) straight where the top riders can touch 160 km/h (99 mph).[12]
The categories and classes of the FIM Sand Races World Cup are included in the event:[13]
- Motos, Womens Moto, Veteran Moto's, Junior Motos and Vintage Moto's
- Quads, Womens Quads, Veteran Quads and Junior Quads
In addition, riders with a national licence may compete in the international motorcycle races in a separate class for the Sand Storm Open.[13]
Races are completed over two heats, one on Saturday and the second on Sunday. Heats last 90 minutes for motorcycles, 60 for quads and 45 minutes for juniors and vintage classes. Overall winners are determined by adding the times of the two heats together.[13]
There is also a night race that takes place on an illuminated 1 km (0.62 mi) track in front of Piazzale Zenith. Teams from motorcycle clubs compete in heats[7] lasting 8 minutes plus one laps. The heats have a Le Mans style start.[13]
Winners
| Year | Motos | Motos Women | Motos Veterans | Motos Junior | Vintage | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Todd Kellett Yamaha |
Amandine Verstappen Yamaha |
Gregory Deleu Fantic |
Paolo Maschio Kawasaki |
Felix Faure Honda |
[14] |
| 2025 | Todd Kellett Yamaha |
Amandine Verstappen Yamaha |
Alexis van de Woestyne Honda |
Evan Demeester Honda |
Freddy Seguin Honda |
[15] |
| Year | Quads | Quads Women | Quads Veterans | Quads Junior | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Keveen Rochereau Honda |
Nathanaelle Abgrall Yamaha |
Axel Dutrie Yamaha |
Alois Waloszek Yamaha |
[14] |
| 2025 | Dirk Schelfhout Honda |
- | Dirk Schelfhout Honda |
- | [16] |
See also
References
- ^ "FIM Sand Races World Championship - Italy/Italie - Bibione Sand Storm (TBC) | FIM". www.fim-moto.com. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
- ^ a b "Acerbis Protagonist At The Bibione Sand Storm". Acerbis. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
- ^ a b c "Guida alla Bibione Sand Storm" [Bibione Sand Storm Guide]. FXAction Press (in Italian). 15 August 2024. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
- ^ "A Bibione la quarta prova della coppa del mondo Sand Races – FXAction Group". FXAction Press (in Italian). 30 October 2024. Retrieved 7 March 2026.
- ^ "Vanni Oddera Alla Bibione Sand Storm" [Vanni Oddera at the Bibione Sand Storm]. fxactionmagazine (in Italian). 5 July 2024. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
- ^ "Sand Storm, spettacolo di sabbia e motori a Bibione" [Sand Storm, a sand and engine show in Bibione]. nuovavenezia.it (in Italian). 25 October 2025. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
- ^ a b "Bibione Sand storm, 6 chilometri di spettacolo sulla spiaggia – FXAction Group" [Bibione Sandstorm: 6 kilometers of spectacular beach action]. FXAction Press (in Italian). 17 September 2024. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
- ^ "2025 FIM Sand Races World Championship Calendar (Updated)". Cycle News. 23 July 2025. Retrieved 7 March 2026.
- ^ ""Grandi sorprese alla Bibione Sand Storm 2025" – FXAction Group" ["Big surprises at Bibione Sand Storm 2025"]. FXAction Press (in Italian). 22 August 2025. Retrieved 7 March 2026.
- ^ "Bibione Sand Storm chiude in bellezza con 80mila presenze e grandi emozioni in pista" [Sand Storm closes with a bang with 80,000 attendees and thrills on the slopes]. portogruaro.net (in Italian). 27 October 2025. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
- ^ van den Brink, Arno (5 March 2026). "New Calendar Announced for the FIM Sand Races World Championship 2026–2027". MX Vice. Retrieved 7 March 2026.
- ^ "Bibione: al via Sand Storm. Obiettivo: 100.000 partecipanti al mondiale di motocross" [Bibione: Sand Storm kicks off. The goal is to attract 100,000 attendees for the world motocross event]. cafetv24.it (in Italian). 24 October 2025. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
- ^ a b c d "Sono aperte le iscrizioni per la Tempesta di Sabbia di Bibione" [Registration is now open for the Bibione Sand Storm]. fxactionmagazine (in Italian). 3 August 2025. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
- ^ a b "King Kellett retains his FIM Sand Races World Cup title with Monte Gordo Sand Race double - Race Report". Dirt Hub. 25 November 2024. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
- ^ "Tormenta de arena de Bibione 2025: Resultados" [Bibione Sand Storm 2025: Results]. MX Zone Argentina (in Spanish). 26 October 2025. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
- ^ "Bibione Sand Storm: Pubblico da record per le vittorie di Kellett e Schelfout" [Bibione Sand Storm: Record crowds for Kellett and Schelfout's victories]. FXAction Press (in Italian). 26 October 2025. Retrieved 6 March 2026.