“We have registrations for 20 thousand [people]. So far, from what you can see out there, there are endless queues and thousands of people waiting to register. It matches what we predicted”, stated José Amaro, in a press conference held at the event venue.

According to the director, the 20 thousand registered corresponds to the limit number for the security and civil protection scheme and the medical device prepared to receive the 'bikers' present at the concentration.

After the environmental authorities made it impossible, last year, to use land adjacent to the enclosure for motorcyclists' camping, due to the protection of a dune cordon, Faro Airport provided another piece of land this year, which will allow it to accommodate a few thousand of subscribers.

“We hope that this year, like previous years, everything goes well, with all safety conditions, with a great motorcycling environment and good shows”, highlighted José Amaro.

The musical lineup for this edition includes concerts by Wolfmother, Katia Guerreiro, Tara Perdida, Iris, and Tony Moore, among others.

The president of Faro City Council, Rogério Bacalhau, praised the “very large” economic impact of the event on restaurants, commerce, and hotels in the municipality and the region.

“If Faro is recognized worldwide, it owes a lot to the Motoclube”, he said.


Safety

Regarding safety, the mayor recalled that the most serious accidents in recent years have occurred outside the venue and appealed to motorcyclists “not to let themselves be carried away” by the “spirit of speed”.

The concentration's medical device, centralised at the Faro Hospital, includes 42 doctors and around 100 nurses, ambulance crews, and Portuguese Red Cross rescuers, said João Ildefonso, doctor, and member of the board of directors of the Motoclube de Faro.

“This year, the device was improved, because the Red Cross brought us more resources, including a mobile health unit, which allows us to meet the needs of everyone here”, he added.

The total “staff” that allows the concentration to take place reaches 1,200 people, the vast majority on a volunteer basis, considered “essential” by the president of the Farense motorcycle club.

José Amaro, who has led the Motoclube de Faro since its foundation in 1982, announced his departure today, as he will not run again for the November elections, and left a request to his successors.

“What I ask of the future management is that they do not see this as a way to make money. This is not any company. We need to find money to pay expenses but don't go overboard. This is a motorcycle club with certain references and that is what needs to be preserved”, he pointed out.

According to Gaspar Gago, a member of the board of directors of the Motoclube de Faro present at the press conference, in 2023 the concentration generated revenue of around 2 million euros and expenses in the order of 1.8 million euros, with the profit destined for solidarity initiatives.

The concentration ends on Sunday with the usual parade of thousands of motorcyclists through the city streets, starting at 10:00.

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