The introduction to the women-only motorcycling series

After setting up the Commission for Women in Motorcycling in 2016 and creating many opportunities to female riders, FIM takes another step with a brand new all-women racing series: FIM Women's Motorcycling World Championship.

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The Women's Motorcycling World Championship, also known as WorldWRC, accompanies the Superbike World Championship - this year in 6 European rounds including Misano, Donnington Park, Portimao, Cremona, Estoril, and Jerez. It is organised by the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme and Dorna with 2024 being the year of the series' official debut. WorldWRC thus joins the Women's Championships in Motocross, Enduro, and Trial as well as several Training Camps that took place over the years - for example in Spain, the Czech Republic, and Qatar. There have also been all-women teams in Suzuka 4 Hours or, most recently, in Moto3 - more here: https://www.f1hoesblog.com/post/female-riders-who-left-a-mark

Out of forty applications, twenty-four riders from all around the world made the 2024 grid, including Ana Carrasco and María Herrera. These two talents used to compete in Moto3 - unsurprisingly, they are the main title contenders. At each round, the Federation of the host nation can use two wildcards. Furthermore, Dorna can nominate "one event" entries. The maximum number of riders is thirty (between the ages 18 and 50). All competitors must pay an entry fee of 25.000 euros that includes the use of Yamaha YZF R7 motorcycles with a maximum power of 75hp (identical for all riders, making this championship a single-brand - other manufacturers may join in the future), Pirelli tyres, fuel, oil, racing service, and access to the Paddock Village. Besides the global broadcast coverage, World WCR can use the Pirelli prize money as well as several PR opportunities to boost riders and their sponsor's visibility.

The series follows the Superbikes race weekend format. On Friday, there is a Free Practice and Superpole that decides the grid for Saturday's Race 1. Race 2 takes place on Sunday - the starting position for the first nine riders is determined by their fastest laps in Race 1 - the remaining positions are based on the Superpole results. Each race has a minimum length of 40 km and a maximum of 70 km. Ahead of every race, there is a ten minute Warm-up. Fans can watch all the sessions not only on the track but also via the championship's official YouTube channel for free: https://www.youtube.com/@WorldWCR

Points are awarded to top fifteen riders in this order:

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"In the FIM, we have been working very hard to include more and more women in racing in the last 20 years, since we created the Women Commission. We already have Women's Championships in Motocross, Enduro, and Trial, and we are going to have Speedway very soon. When we started to think about a Circuit Racing Championship, Dorna embraced this project and we've been working together since April, and I think Gregorio (Lavilla) did a very good job. There is a lot of demand from women to join this Championship. 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." - Jorge Viegas, FIM President