The incredible capital city of Germany - Berlin - was the host for this year’s prestigious FIM Gala ceremony, with the Tempodrom venue close to the world-renowned Potsdamer Platz having the honour of receiving 34 FIM World Champions, 11 FIM Team World Champions, seven FIM Legends and three special prizewinners in 2016.
2016 MotoGP™ World Champion Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) was the star attraction from the FIM MotoGP™ World Championship, picking up his medal after an incredible season in which he took his fifth world title and third premier class crown in the four seasons since his debut. As well as Marquez, 2016 Moto2™ World Champion Johann Zarco was a key draw, alongside reigning Moto3™ World Champion Brad Binder.
After a history-making second Championship for Zarco, the Frenchman received his award after becoming the first man to defend the Moto2™ crown since its introduction in 2010 – and the first French rider to win more than one World Championship. Brad Binder earned his place at the prestigious ceremony after winning his first World Championship by an incredible margin in Moto3™, clinching the title at MotorLand Aragon.
Lorenzo Dalla Porta also picked up a medal for winning the FIM CEV Repsol Moto3™ Junior World Championship this year, ahead of his full time debut in the Moto3™ World Championship next season - taking the crown after a memorable final weekend at the Circuit de la Comunitat Valenciana.
Marc Marquez: "I made few mistakes in 2015 and when you learn from them, you manage problems in a different way. Around me I have great people and a great team. The package this year was not the best one but now we have the preseason and a lot of work ahead - but the feeling is good!"
Johann Zarco: "Retaining the title was more difficult than clinching the first. All my rivals wanted to beat me. I'm pretty excited with MotoGP and the test has been good to understand better these kind of machines. MotoGP is a dream!"
Brad Binder: "It has been an awesome season. Great for me and my country as well. The victory in Jerez set the tone for the year and it showed how much more confident I was. Moto2™ bikes are heavier..."
The South African ended his quote with a laugh as he waved his arm, now in a cast following a crash in testing - but Binder will be recovered in time to begin his 2017 campaign in the intermediate class next season.
After the final toast to the class of 2016, the eyes of the motorcycling world now focus further forward to the next season – with those present facing 2017 as reigning Champions, waiting for the lights to go out on another season, and another chance at each respective crown.