RELPH SET FOR WOMEN’S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP TEST

A history-making moment beckons for female road racers all across the world and it all starts at Cremona Circuit in Italy on Thursday 16th May 2024.

The FIM Women’s Circuit Racing World Championship is a new initiative brought into World Superbike paddock in the 2024 season marking the very first dedicated female World Championship for road racing. Tayla Relph, 27, from Warrnambool will be the sole Australian representative on the 24-rider grid.

All FIM Women’s World Championship riders will be present at the two-day test, marking their first opportunity to ride the Yamaha YZF-R7, getting a glimpse of what is in-store this season.

While nerves are rising, preparation in Australia in the lead up to this test has been key to Relph’s performance over the next two days.

“We have put in some monumental hours over the past 5 months to prepare for tomorrow, with TAYCO Motorsports Team Manager / Crew Chief Ted Collins building up an R7 for me to train on that is at the same spec as the bike I will be racing on this season,” Tayla said.

“I instantly had a really strong feeling on the Yamaha R7 when I was in Australia and we had the chance to complete multiple test days across the likes of Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit and The Bend Motorsport Park.”

“I was pleasantly surprised with my pace on the bike straight away; so, if I can get that same feeling as I did in Australia over here in Europe, I think we will have a really strong season.”

Cremona Circuit is new on the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship Calendar, and mark Round 5 of the FIM Women’s Circuit Racing World Championship [Round 10 for the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship] on the 20th to 22nd September.

“For sure there are many challenges taking part in this championship all the way over from Australia - it is quite a European rider heavy championship, and that is why we made the decision to move to Europe for the duration of the season to test and train at the circuits on the calendar,” Relph said.

“Ted and I have quite literally packed up everything, rented out our home, said goodbye to our dog, jobs and life as we know it to really give this Championship our 110% dedication - it’s something not many other riders in the Championship have had to do, but I am using this sacrifice as fuel to the fire and I’m confident it will show in my results”

The WorldWCR Test at Cremona will take place across Thursday 16th May and Friday 17th May, totalling 1hr 40 minutes of on-track time each day.

Thursday 16th track action will begin for FP1 at 12pm local time (8pm AEST) and will conclude at 6:20pm local time (2:20am AEST) totalling 6 Free Practice Sessions.

Friday 17th first Free Practice Session will begin at 9:00am local time (5pm AEST) and conclude at 4:40pm local time (12:40am AEST).

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