The journey begins⊠a rider discovers her passion
Like many young riders, Italyâs Roberta Ponziani first fell in love with racing by riding minibikes as a child, even if her family were not previously so passionate about motorcycles. Now that the Ponziani clan have an elite level competitor in their ranks they are her biggest supporters and have truly caught the motorbike buzz.
A decade of racing experienceAfter those formative years practising on the minibike, Ponziani began racing at the age of nine. Then at 11 years of age and as the only female in the category she won the Italian CIV Junior Championship for minibikes in 2014, taking the title again in 2015. In 2016 she raced in the CIV again and in the Yamaha R3 trophy until 2019. Since 2020 she has raced in the Women’s European Championship, finishing in third place four times. She comes into WorldWCR as the reigning Italian Women’s Champion.
Praise from a MotoGPâą race winner
During her time racing minibikes Ponziani competed against the likes of MotoGPâą winner Marco Bezzecchi. He says, âSheâs a very good rider, we had some battles when we were younger. It wasnât easy for her because she had to fight a lot of people that were quick, but she defended herself well and fought hard. She never gave up. I admired her for this.â
One to watch in WorldWCR
Given her background of racing such seriously quick rivals on the competitive Italian domestic scene, Ponziani is expected to be a strong contender in the inaugural 2024 WorldWCR season. She kept her rivals on alert in pre-season, by finishing in P2 at the Cremona test and being in P5 after the first WorldWCR round on her home ground.
Roberta explains⊠her first ride as a child
âIt was with a minibike, everything came quite naturally to me straight away. I was nine and I was with my father. There was a minibike track near my house and I asked my father to let me try riding the bikes. The first reaction was, âNo, itâs just for boysâ, but there was a girl riding, who was the daughter of the owner of the track. So I said, âIf she can ride, then I can too!â So I started to ride like that, later he bought me a minibike and I started racing. I was lucky because that track was only there for about one more year and then it closed, so it was just good timing to start!â
Roberta explains her background racing against male rivals
âWhen I was young I didnât feel so different. When racing against boys I always felt comfortable. I didnât have problems. In Italy I think Iâm the only one, Iâve been riding for 20 years and I think everybody knows me there.â
Roberta answers⊠some rapid fire questions
Why was motorcycle racing the sport you chose?
 âI love the feeling when you ride motorcycles, the adrenaline. I canât explain it. I feel good, I want to be faster, I want to improve every day.Â
What do you do aside from racing?Â
âI work in the family pastry shop.â
Who is your favourite rider?Â
âValentino Rossi.â
Who is the female athlete that inspires you the most?Â
âKiara Fontanesi.â
What does it mean to you to be competing in the historic first ever WorldWCR season?Â
âIt’s beautiful. I’m very excited and honoured to be the only Italian representative and I’m ready to give my best!â
What is your goal for this season?Â
âWinning the first ever Women’s World Championship.
âWhat advice would you give to young girls who aspire to compete at the highest level in riding?Â
âNever give up and always believe in yourself.â
