June 6, 2006
New York, NY - April the 28th 2006 has been forever marked within the historical files of the City of New York as 'BMW Relay Around The World Day'. This was officially stated on a Proclamation Certificate, which was signed and sealed by New York City's Mayor, Michael R. Bloomberg and handed over by the Commissioner of Sports, Kenneth J. Podziba to Relay organisers, Gustavo Cuervo and Peter Lewin.
The formal ceremony of handing over the keys and starting the third leg of the Around the World Relay - the first leg in USA territory - was celebrated at 10am in the main gardens of New York City Council, a historical building located in the centre of Manhattan and surrounded by skyscrapers.
The four BMW R 1200 GS Adventure motorcycles, ridden by a team from Mallorca (Benjamín Pujol, Juan Segui, Jaime Roig and Carlos Homs) were escorted by American motorcyclists and friends to the City Council where the New York City Commission of Sports and other celebrities of the Consistory conversed with the participating riders and organisers about the details of this incredible 18-month long journey.
A simple ceremony full of symbolism and emotion, confirmed how the universal spirit of the Around the World Relay is reaching people all over the world and bringing riders together like no other motorcycle adventure before.
With New York City's best wishes for a memorable and safe trip, the participants started their journey on the American continent. Nine months of adventures lie ahead on roads, trails, in deserts, mountains and forests throughout the Americas. Sixty-four riders will share the 16 stages that cross all corners of this amazing continent, from Alaska in the north to Tierra del Fuego - the southernmost city in the world.
