International Motorcycle Show of Barcelona

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Barcelona will again become the European motorcycling capital with the second Grand Motorcycle Week, MotOh! BCN 2008. This show, Spain's most important two-wheel sector event, will be held from the 8th to the 11th of May and will feature more exhibitors than in 2006 and new activities. The organisers will also increase the show's international and professional aspects dedicating an exclusive day, the 7th of May, to press and trade. Organised by Fira de Barcelona, in collaboration with ANESDOR, MotOh! BCN 2008 will bring together the leading manufacturers, distributors and importers of motorcycles, mopeds, quads, accessories and components that operate commercially in Spain.

To date, over 20,000 m2 of stands space have been booked by 150 direct exhibitors, including the sector's leading manufacturers and some new firms. When the booking period has closed, the organisers expect occupancy of 23, 000 m2 of stands space and participation of over 250 exhibitors.

All sectors will be represented: motorcycles, scooters and mopeds; quads, jet skis and snowmobiles; trailers and sidecars; bicycles; spare parts, accessories and components; electrical equipment and components; clothes and equipment for motorcyclists; machinery, equipment and tools for garages and shops; oil, lubricants, chemical products and additives; tyres and machinery; sales and repair equipment and products; technical press; insurance and finance companies; and association, federations and clubs.

As befits the country's leading motorcycle event, the show will boost its internationalism with the aim of activating contacts between production centres in Spain, suppliers and dealers. Exhibitors from Benelux, China, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Great Britain, Hungary, Italy, Pakistan and Portugal have already booked space.

Another of this year's new features is the Trade and Press Day, which expects to attract 5, 000 professional visitors and have an excellent media impact. The aim of this initiative is to orientate the show towards boosting contact between manufacturers and suppliers, as well as between manufacturers and dealers. To this end, the show will dedicate the 7th of May (all day from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.) exclusively to these groups, during which many manufacturers and brands will present their new products.

José Miguel García, director of MotOh! BCN 2008, says that "the motorcycle market in Spain is the second most important in Europe and precisely this fact, together with the presence in our country of the production centres of major manufacturers, is what makes MotOh! an ideal place for international and professional contacts".

The 2nd MotOh! BCN will incorporate new activities. One of the main attractions will be an exhibition of historic motorbikes organised in collaboration with the AMACS (Friends of Antique, Classic and Sports Motorbikes)). It will feature models from various periods, all top quality and in mint condition, and, as a tribute to the legendary and adjoining Montjuïc urban circuit, on the last day of the show (11th of May), these motorcycles will come back to life and be ridden on the old track.

After the success at the last show, the open-air exhibition area will be even bigger with more attractions. From Thursday to Sunday, the Plaza Universo will provide the setting for spectacular exhibitions of freestyle, trial, supermotard and, new this year, supercross and enduro, by the best specialists. This new location will bring the size of the area from 2,000 in 2006 to 7,000 m2 in 2008, with stands for 1,500 people.

Visitors will also be able to try out, free of charge, the latest motorcycle, scooter and moped models on show, both inside and outside the exhibition centre, which will make this Barcelona event very dynamic and interactive. The public will also be able to take advantage of the free ITV (Technical Vehicle Inspection) tests (MOT) for motorcycles, mopeds and scooters.

For the second time, the show will feature a Driving School for both adults and children. Visitors will be able to learn to ride motorcycles and quads, with instructors who will give theory and practical lessons. Lastly, the show will host a series of conferences entitled "3rd Sessions on Urban Mobility and Road Safety of Two-Wheel Vehicles". This event, which will be held on the 8th of May, is organised by ANESDOR and Línea Directa Aseguradora (Direct Line Insurance), with the participation of experts and officers in charge of mobility and road safety, such as safety councillors, local police chiefs and other associations and institutes, who will debate important issues related to the sector.

MotOh! BCN 2008 enjoys the official sponsorship of Línea Directa Aseguradora, leading direct insurer of motorbikes in Spain. Since it entered the market, over 200, 000 motorcyclists have entrusted their insurance to this firm. Línea Directa Motos is present at a multitude of motorcycle events, round tables, advertising sponsorship, races, etc. It also has a customer loyalty club, Club Más Moto, which has over 60,000 members.

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