Venice Motocross League
Ref: PI/HQ/IR/NO.2008
PERAMA International
Office of the Federation Secretary
PI/HQ/IR/NO.2008
The Federation has received a formal complaint from the Municipality of Venice regarding the Venice Motocross League's most recent qualifying session through the Dorsoduro district.
The Agreement
The VML operates under a cooperation agreement with the Municipality, originally negotiated in 1991 between the League's founding chairman and the then-deputy mayor. The terms were established over dinner at a restaurant in Cannaregio. Neither party retained a written copy. Both maintain that the other is in breach.
The League understands the agreement to permit competitive activity through designated routes during periods of "low cultural significance." The Municipality understands it to permit activity "only when it causes no disturbance to residents, visitors, or the character of the city." The Federation has noted that these are not the same thing.
The Qualifying Session
Nine riders entered the Dorsoduro course. Six completed it. Two retired with mechanical issues attributed to cobblestones. The ninth entered the Grand Canal at speed near the Ponte dei Pugni. The rider has been recovered. The motorcycle has not.
The Complaint
The Municipality's letter, which ran to fourteen pages, cited the following:
The use of the Rialto Bridge as what the League described in its programme notes as a "natural elevation feature." The Municipality does not recognise this classification and has requested that the phrase be removed from all future documentation.
Damage to a private gondola moored near the Accademia Bridge. The owner has submitted a separate claim.
The displacement of a fruit stall at Campo San Barnaba, resulting in what the stallholder described as "the total loss of the morning's aubergines."
Disturbance to the wedding of a municipal planning councillor's daughter, which was taking place at a church along the approved route. The League has stated that the wedding was not listed on the public events register. The councillor has stated that this is "not the point."
The Municipality has recommended that all future VML activity be conducted "on the mainland, or preferably elsewhere." The League has declined, citing a clause in the original agreement that it believes guarantees operational rights within the historic centre. The clause has not been produced.
Current Status
The Federation has requested that both parties submit their understanding of the agreement in writing. The Municipality responded within 48 hours. The League has indicated that it is "still gathering recollections."
The VML's competitive programme continues. The Municipality's position on this remains, in its own words, "under active and emotional review."
Issued by A. Lemos, Federation Secretary PERAMA International
