At 28 years old, Italian racer Roberta Ponziani is living proof of how far determination, resilience, and passion can carry a rider. Today, she lines up in the WorldWCR with her sights firmly set on podiums and victories, but her journey has been anything but conventional. Press: WorldWCRFrom the Bakery to the Racetrack:

Roberta grew up in her family’s bakery and pastry shop, a place where early mornings and hard work were part of daily life. Riding motorcycles wasn’t in the family plan. In fact, no one in the household even rode. But fate intervened when she tried out a mini-bike at a track near her home. At just nine years old, she fell in love with riding, and her father – initially out of his depth in the racing world – bought her a bike.

Read our profile on Beatriz Neila here...

Those early years were a steep learning curve. “My father didn’t know anything about bikes. He would just put fuel in and I would ride,” she recalls. Yet her natural talent soon shone through, and she became the Italian minibike champion, regularly beating the boys as the only girl in the field. For nearly a decade, Roberta was a lone female presence in Italy’s junior ranks, paving the way for others who would follow.

Changing Times:

Things shifted in 2019 when MotoxRacing introduced a women’s trophy, quickly evolving into the Women’s European Championship by 2021. For Roberta, this was a turning point. Instead of racing with men for mid-pack results, she suddenly had a new goal: to be the best in the world among women.

Her debut in WorldWCR surprised even herself. “I didn’t think I’d be this strong,” she admits. Without the Moto3 or 600cc background of rivals like Maria Herrera, Roberta entered with less experience but still finished a superb fifth in 2024. Now, she has raised her expectations: podiums, race wins, and a push for the top three overall in 2025.Looking Ahead:

The launch of WorldWCR has given Roberta a renewed sense of purpose, but she also recognises the challenges of building the future for women in racing. “If you win the women’s world championship, what’s next?” she asks. “Right now, this is the pinnacle, but maybe in the future there will be a Women’s Superbike category.”Despite some debate about women racing separately, Roberta sees the positives clearly. The national grids in Italy are already filling with more girls than ever before, proof that visibility and opportunity are powerful motivators.A Close-Knit Paddock:

Racing is often a solitary pursuit, but Roberta has formed strong bonds with rivals-turned-friends such as Beatriz Neila, Sara Sanchez, and Maria Herrera. “When Sara won her first race, I was happy for her because we followed the same path. I thought: wow, this is the level I can reach too.”Not long ago, Roberta was considering quitting, frustrated by the lack of opportunity and financial strain. Now, she stands on the grid of a world championship, looking forward with optimism. Whether racing, coaching, or even combining the family bakery with a race team one day, Roberta is determined to remain part of the sport that has defined her life.

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