Welcome to the 2024 FIM Women’s Circuit Racing World Championship, the first season of a new chapter in the history of not just motorsport but the wider sporting sphere for women. 25 riders representing 18 countries and six continents will battle over 12 races in what is a Championship that won’t just see a rider crowned WorldWCR Champion but will inspire more women around the world to enjoy the sport we love. It all starts at the Misano World Circuit “Marco Simoncelli” in Italy.
THE STARS OF THE SHOW: 25 riders see dreams become reality
One of the preseason favourites is Ana Carrasco, with the 2018 WorldSSP300 Champion being one of the obvious tips for success given her prior experience in World Championship action. She was fastest in testing but Italian hopeful Roberta Ponziani – who grew up racing minibikes against the likes of MotoGP™ winner Marco Bezzecchi – kept her honest and was P2 at the Cremona test. Third in testing was Sara Sanchez (511 Terra&Vita Racing Team), a top ten finisher in WorldSSP300 before and now, having grown up racing the likes of MotoGP™ stars Fabio Quartararo and Jorge Martin, gets the chance to prove herself in the first year of WorldWCR action. Four-time European champion Beatriz Neila (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) is likewise one to keep an eye on whilst Czech sensation Adela Ourednickova was fast in testing too. German star Lucy Michel (TSL-Racing) was likewise in the top three in testing after the first day and aims to use her national experience to put herself in contention. Whilst not at the tests, both Emily Bondi (YART Zelos Black Knights Team) and Maria Herrera (Klint Forward Factory Racing) can be expected to be fast from the start too.
One of two South Africans, Jessica Howden’s (Team Trasimeno) dream of World Championship racing is realised, whilst from Australia and a familiar face to many, Tayla Relph (TAYCO Motorsport) has already enjoyed a strong start in testing, making history by topping the first ever session. There was a true international mix rounding out the top ten in testing as American Mallory Dobbs (Sekhmet Motorcycle Racing Team) and Chilean Isis Carreno (AD78 Latinoamerica by Team GP3) featured strongly; Dobbs’ background is in MotoAmerica Supersport whilst the #99 of Carreno has raced in WorldSSP300 and a myriad of continental races in South America. Mallorcan Pakita Ruiz (PS Racing Team 46+1) is tipped for a strong season whilst the second South African ion the grid is Nicole van Aswegen (Andalaft Racing), who came up through the national South African championships alongside Brad and Darryn Binder.
Ran Yochay (511 Terra&Vita Racing Team) brings Israel into the WorldWCR paddock and is their leading light for 2024, whilst there’s a throwback name by the way of Ornella Ongaro (Yamaha Motoxracing WCR Team), with the French lady having grown up on pocket bikes with none other than eight-time MotoGP™ World Champion Marc Marquez – who remembers those days. Representing Chinese Taipei, Chun Mei Liu (WT Racing Team Taiwan) is the oldest competitor on the grid but was fast during testing, whereas Mexico’s Astrid Madrigal (ITALIKA Racing FIMLA) is back in World Championship action. Austria has Lena Kemmer (Bertl K. Racing Team) who debuts in World Championship action, along with Japan’s Luna Hirano (Team Luna) and Ukraine’s Iryna Nadieieva (MPS.RT).
One story to follow will be that of Andrea Sibaja (Deza – Box 77 Racing Team), who as well as racing in WorldWCR, will manage the team in WorldSSP300. Britain’s Alyssia Whitmore (Sekhmet Motorcycle Racing Team), Norway’s Mia Rusthen (Rusthen Racing) and Colombia’s Sara Varon (OTALIKA Racing FIMLA) complete the permanent riders on the grid, although Varon – the youngest rider on the grid at 18-years-old won’t be racing at Misano due to an injury and is replaced by the first-ever Dominican rider to race in the WorldSBK paddock, Krystal Silfa.
HOW TO WATCH: races free on YouTube
The main way to watch the 12 races of action wherever you are will be the Official WorldWCR YouTube channel, with races being shown there during each round. Simultaneously, races will be able to be enjoyed ad-free on the WorldSBK VideoPass, along with WorldSBK, WorldSSP and WorldSSP300 action. On TV, you’ll be covered too, with comprehensive coverage all over the world ensuring the historic first season gets to as many people as possible; check out this link to get a full run-down by each country and territory of how to watch besides YouTube and the WorldSBK VideoPass.
JOIN THE COMMUNITY: keep up with WorldWCR action across social networks
From behind the scenes content, raw emotion, instant reaction and all kinds of conversation, WorldWCR’s Official social media platforms will be the hub for fans, teams and riders alike; key moments, main stories and all the off-track happenings can be followed across Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), Facebook and of course YouTube, where Tissot Superpole and the full races will be FREE TO AIR!
Watch the first-ever WorldWCR test from Cremona here and enjoy 2024 on the WorldSBK VideoPass!
Source: WorldSBK.com