Last weekend the WorldSBK season finale took place in Jerez, in Spain. At the same time, a press conference was held by FIM, WorldSBK, FIM Women in Motorcycling Commission to finally reveal more details about the new racing series, Women’ Motorcycle World Championship, set to start in 2024 season.
The idea of an all-female motorcycling world championship was first revealed by FIM in April of 2023, but without any details; now, during a press conference in Jerez, all the rules and regulations were finally published.
Firstly, the calendar is synced with WorldSBK for six European rounds – Misano in Italy, Donington Park in the UK, Algarve in Portugal, Balaton Park in Hungary, Cremona in Italy and Jerez in Spain. The race weekend format is going to be similar to the one in World Supersport with a Superpole session on Friday, race one on Saturday and race two on Sunday. All sessions are planned to be broadcasted from the beginning, in contrast to what happened to F1 Academy.
Yamaha will be the only machine provider in the series, as it will supply with Yamaha YZF-R7, support of engineers and mechanics and leathers of GYTR.
“30% of our customers are women, and they want to race. With this Championship, we will give the correct step for women to demonstrate their talent." – said Eric de Seynes, President and CEO of Yamaha Motor Europe.
Riders wanting to compete in the championship have to be at least 18 years of age and apply in the pre-application process going forward from 13th November 2023 until 31st January 2024. They are going to receive a confirmation no later than 15th February 2024.
“There will be women coming from Japan, from the United States, from Latin America, and from Europe, of course. I think it will be a big success." – said Jorge Viegas, president of FIM.
FIM Women’s World Championship is still being described by its creators as a “final destination” and the highest level of racing, which makes it different from F1 Academy and its predecessor W Series for car racing. Jorge Viegas, president of FIM, mentioned the existence of female championships in Trial, Motocross and Enduro and even hinted at an idea of organizing speedway series for women only – which also brings to light the issue of gender segregation in racing.
There have been no female riders competing in MXGP since the launch of WMX.
The same thing may happen to WorldSBK and MotoGP, especially as Viegas mentioned that Ana Carrasco and Maria Herrera, two popular riders, may come to race in the series.
The question is – while a development series to help women reach the echelons of the sport is understandable, is a separated top category even necessary when Ana Carrasco was able to win a world championship title in World Supersport 300, while competing against male riders, or when Iron Dames, a fully female team, won the 8 Hours of Bahrain in FIA WEC, on equal terms?
FIM Women's Motorcycle World Championship is set to start racing on 14th of July in Misano, Italy during the fourth round of WorldSBK.
FIM Women's Motorcycle World Championship calendar:
Emilia Romagna Round, Misano World Circuit "Marco Simoncelli" - June 14th-16th
UK Round, Donington Park - July 12th-14th
Portuguese Round, Autodromo Internacional do Algarve - August 9th-11th
Hungarian Round, Balaton Park - August 23rd-25th
Italian Round, Cremona Circuit - September 20th-22nd
Spanish Round, Circuito de Jerez-Angel Nieto - October 11th-13th