During the MotoGP Spanish Grand Prix on Saturday, a special press conference announced a new FIA-sanctioned event called the Intercontinental Games for motorcycle racing.
These Games will happen every two years, starting this November. In the first year, races will be held only on race circuits, but in the future, they plan to include off-road competitions too.
Yamaha, Airoh helmets, and Spidi leathers are sponsoring the event. FIM president Jorge Viegas hopes big names from MotoGP and World Superbikes will join, but some may not because of sponsorship issues.
For the first year, Yamaha R3 and R7 bikes will be used, with Dunlop tires. Teams will represent countries and have four riders, including one female racer.
Each team will have a captain from a world championship, with the other two riders from national series.
The first event will be in Jerez at the end of November. The schedule includes free practice on Friday, qualifying on Saturday, and two races for each bike class on Sunday.
FIM president Viegas said, “This is a project that is more than 20 years [in the making]. One day in the FIM, we thought when we created the continental unions it would be very beneficial to create some kind of competition between the continental unions. This doesn’t exist anywhere, so this is the first time you are going to see riders dressed [in the colors] of European [countries], African [countries], Oceania, Latin America, and North America.”
The event will be broadcast by MotoGP and WSBK promoter Dorna Sports through Warner Brothers Discovery and Eurosport.
The best team over the four races will win the overall award, and individual prizes will be given for the best male and female rider.
