Europe Wins Inaugural FIM Intercontinental Games
Six continents converged for a unique motorcycle racing showdown over the weekend, piling onto the grid for the inaugural FIM Intercontinental Games. Riders representing Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, North America, and Oceania locked horns in a battle for continental supremacy, fueled by the thrill of competition and national pride.
Europe emerged victorious, riding Yamaha machinery to the top spot in both the Supersport and Supersport 300 classes. The FIM Europe Supersport captain, Elia Bartolini, along with Enzo De La Vega and Valentin Folger, all secured top-10 finishes in the final race, cementing their team’s place in history as the first-ever FIM Intercontinental Games champions.
Setting the Pace: Qualifying Battles
Saturday saw fierce qualifying battles unfold, with Dino Iozzo securing pole position for the African team in the Supersport class. Iozzo’s time was 0.369 seconds faster than Humberto Maier, who claimed second on the grid for South America. In the Supersport 300 class, Gonzalo Sanchez, representing Europe, snatched pole, edging out Oceania’s Archie McDonald.
Drama on Track: Race Day Action
Race day was a rollercoaster of emotions, filled with unexpected twists and turns. Aldi Mahendra, representing Asia, capitalized on pole-sitter Sanchez’s unfortunate crash in the first Supersport 300 race to claim victory from sixth place.
The Supersport race was thrown into disarray when Clint Seller of Africa crashed, resulting in a red flag. This handed victory to South America’s Humberto Maier.
The second Supersport 300 race ended with a controversial decision. Mahendra initially believed he had secured a razor-thin victory by 0.001 seconds. However, a penalty for irresponsible riding dropped him to third, handing the win to Nahuel Santamaria of Latin America. Sanchez, recovering from his earlier crash, finished second, showcasing his resilience.
With a dramatic finale on the horizon, the final race of the event was held under wet weather conditions, adding an extra layer of excitement and unpredictability. Asia’s Soichiro Minamimoto and Apiwath Wongthananon took the checkered flag in first and second respectively, pushing their team’s score, but it wouldn’t be enough to overtake Team Europe.
Individual Standouts Shine
Beyond the team battles, individual accolades were awarded to the highest-scoring riders in each class. Asia’s Aldi Mahendra claimed the prize for highest-scoring male rider in the Supersport 300 class. Josephine Bruno was the top female performer in the same category, while Bartolini and Mallory Dobbs shared the honors in the Supersport class.
What were the implications of the European team’s victory for the future of motorcycle racing in Europe?
## Interview: Europe Crowns First FIM Intercontinental Games Champions
**Interviewer:** Welcome back to the show. Today, we have a very special guest joining us to talk about this weekend’s thrilling conclusion to the inaugural FIM Intercontinental Games. Elia Bartolini, captain of the winning European Supersport team, thanks for being here.
**Elia Bartolini:** It’s a pleasure to be here. This weekend was truly incredible.
**Interviewer:** Absolutely! Europe dominated the Games, taking victories in both the Supersport and Supersport 300 classes. What was the key to your team’s success?
**Elia Bartolini:** I think it was a combination of things. Every rider on our team was incredibly talented and dedicated. We had strong bikes, excellent support from Yamaha, and a real sense of camaraderie that pushed us forward. This event was so unique, and the pressure to represent our continent was immense. But we all worked together, supported each other, and ultimately emerged victorious.
**Interviewer:** You personally secured a top-10 finish in the final race. Can you tell us about that experience?
**Elia Bartolini:** Crossing the finish line and knowing we’d won the first ever FIM Intercontinental Games was an indescribable feeling. This is history, and to be part of it is truly special.
**Interviewer:** Did any specific moments stand out during the weekend?
**Elia Bartolini:** Qualifying was really intense, especially seeing Dino Iozzo from Africa take pole position in Supersport. It set the stage for a fierce competition from the start. But we kept our focus, and the entire team performed exceptionally well throughout the weekend.
**Interviewer:** What does this victory mean for the future of European motorcycle racing?
**Elia Bartolini:** I think this is a huge moment for us. It proves that European riders are among the best in the world. This victory will inspire a new generation of riders, and I hope we see even greater success for Europe in future FIM Intercontinental Games. It’s a fantastic event, bringing together riders from all corners of the globe.
**Interviewer:** Thank you so much for your insights, Elia. Congratulations again on this historic win! It was a truly awe-inspiring display of skill and sportsmanship.
**Elia Bartolini:** Thank you for having me! [[1](https://www.gpone.com/en/2024/08/12/news/fim-intercontinental-games-48-riders-to-compete-at-jerez-unveiled.html)]
