First of all, it was good to see everyone at the Köln Intermot Designers' Night for what turned out to be an enjoyable and informal evening. My thanks to the Brauhaus Sion for accommodating us - they served the longest sausages and the smallest beers I've ever seen...

...I'll admit to downing 9 of the latter during the evening - did anyone manage to beat that? Hmm, do I sense a new award category coming up....? In particular, we all owe our thanks to MDA Treasurer Thomas Katzmarek for making the arrangements. Assuming the Intermot doesn't move yet again, the venue will be perfect for similar events in the future. Thomas - much appreciated!

 As has become customary lately, we held a spontaneous "Best of Show" vote for the most outstanding new design unveiled at the Intermot during the evening. Although there were dozens of interesting bikes released at the show, none of the new models were considered to stand out sufficiently to receive the accolade this year. However, some of the more independent designs were thought worthy of commendation.

In "Customizing", an exhibition of custom and modified bikes organised by Sabine Welte of PIX&WORDS, Mike Schween's "El Alamein" - a hilarious mixture of a Suzuki GSX-R, a Buell and a Sherman tank, was unique and audacious enough to get a special mention. A lot of work had gone into that bike along with some truly inspired thinking - the jerry can welded into the gas tank was pure genius!

Some of our guys felt that the striking "white'n'pink" scooter from Desiree Schwan showed an unusual amount of talent in a refreshing look at the female side of the market, especially considering that Desiree is still in her teens.

On the subject of students, Nicolas Dubar & Yves Dufeutrelle ought to be congratulated for producing the full-size "Imme 1200", which was drawing a fair amount of attention at the IVM's design competition exhibition.

And finally, on the Peraves stand, it was refreshing to see a serious design solution coming from a low-volume producer in the guise of the "MonoTracer". More aircraft than motorcycle, the new styling by Tobias Wuelser maintains a clear link to the original Ecomobile, while elevating it through a clean and fresh image.