News

While racing in the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship paddock is on a hiatus after a thrilling campaign, some riders from the several Championships inside the paddock have found time for one more racing weekend: the inaugural FIM Intercontinental Games. The event takes place this weekend at the Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto, a venue familiar to the riders competing as it hosted the 2024 season finale.

WHAT IS THE INTERCONTINENTAL GAMES? A new event for the FIM’s Continental Unions

Announced earlier this year, the ICG will feature six continental unions (FIM Africa, FIM Asia, FIM Europe, FIM Latin America, FIM North America and FIM Oceania) going up against each other to be crowned the winners across two categories – Supersport, using the Yamaha R7 machine, and Supersport 300, using the Yamaha R3 bike. In total, 48 riders from all around the world will compete with 24 riders in each class, including some high-profile names from within the WorldSBK paddock. Each team is required to have two female riders, while most riders must also be considered a ‘rising talent’ and not competing at World Championship level in 2024; there’s an exception for riders who are considered ‘specialised riders’.

TAKING PART FROM WorldWCR: six riders from the first season

Roberta Ponziani takes on the Supersport category from WorldWCR for FIM Europe on the Yamaha R7 machine, a bike she’s very familiar with after a stellar campaign. She’s joined by Nicole Van Aswegen, who didn’t race at the season finale at Jerez due to an injury sustained at Portimao, with Van Aswegen representing FIM Africa. For FIM North America, Mallory Dobbs will compete while Isis Carreno and Astrid Madrigal will fight for FIM Latin America and Tayla Relph will race for FIM Oceania.

MAHENDRA LEADS WorldSSP300 CONTINGENT: 2024 Champion competing in WorldSSP300

Aldi Mahendra, fresh from his 2024 WorldSSP300 title success, will line up on the R3 machine for Team Asia and takes the role of Team Captain for the federation. In the FIM Europe team, there are several riders from WorldSSP300 taking part. Gonzalo Sanchez and occasional wildcard Tomas Alonso will also be on the Yamaha R3, while Elia Bartolini will race in the Supersport category. Humberto Maier, like Bartolini, competed in WorldSSP300 this season but will race on the Yamaha R7 at Jerez; as will Kevin Fontainha.

FROM WORLD SUPERSPORT: a handful of riders to race

From the WorldSSP field in 2024, Soichiro Minamimoto did four races this year and he’ll race in the ICG for FIM Asia, racing alongside Apiwath Wongthananon who raced in the Championship in 2023. For FIM Europe, Enzo De La Vega took part in a wildcard this season and he’ll race on the Yamaha R7 bike. Some-time WorldSSP racer Tom Toparis will also race, competing for FIM Oceania in the Supersport category.

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