The 2026 WorldWCR season brings an intriguing pairing to the grid, as Klint Racing Team lines up with two riders at very different stages of their careers. On one side is Roberta Ponziani, a proven contender with years of experience in the championship. On the other is Paola Ramos, a young talent stepping into her first full campaign after already making headlines with a breakthrough win.
It’s a combination that blends experience with fresh energy—and one that could prove decisive over the course of a long and demanding season.
A Team Built on Success
Klint Racing Team enters the new season with strong expectations after securing the 2025 WorldWCR title. That success has raised the bar, and the addition of both Ponziani and Ramos signals clear intent to remain at the front.
For Ramos, joining a championship-winning structure offers the ideal environment to learn quickly. For Ponziani, it provides stability and the opportunity to build on the progress she has made over the past two seasons.
Roberta Ponziani: Experience and Unfinished Business
Now entering her third year in the championship, Ponziani has steadily established herself as a consistent front-runner. Her fourth-place finish in 2025, narrowly missing out on a podium position in the standings, still serves as motivation.
Reflecting on her early days in the series, she admits the learning curve was steep. Coming into the championship without prior world-level experience meant adapting not only to new circuits, but also to the intensity and professionalism of the paddock.
Over time, that uncertainty has been replaced with confidence. However, she remains clear about where improvements are needed. Race starts and overtaking remain key focus areas—small details that often make the difference between finishing near the podium and standing on it.
Her approach for 2026 is simple: refine those weaknesses, stay consistent, and remain in contention throughout the season.
Paola Ramos: A Rookie with Momentum
At just 18 years old, Paola Ramos arrives as one of the most exciting newcomers on the grid. While technically a rookie, she is far from inexperienced. Her wildcard appearance at Jerez in 2025—where she stormed to victory in Race 2—instantly put her on the radar.
That result, however, comes with expectations. Ramos is aware that many will be watching closely, but she’s keeping her approach grounded.
Unlike many rookies, she has spent years studying the championship from the outside. Still, she acknowledges that watching races and competing in them are two very different experiences. The biggest challenge now is adapting quickly—especially when it comes to race management and decision-making under pressure.
She identifies the closing stages of races as a particular area for growth. Knowing when to attack, when to defend, and how to stay calm in high-pressure moments are skills that only develop with experience.
Learning Never Stops—For Both Riders
Despite the gap in experience, both riders share a similar mindset: there is always something to improve.
For Ramos, the focus is broad—understanding race craft, learning new circuits, and refining her riding technique across different sections of the track.
For Ponziani, the improvements are more specific. With the fundamentals already in place, she is targeting the finer details that separate good results from great ones.
Interestingly, both riders recognize that learning can go both ways. While Ponziani brings knowledge and experience, Ramos brings a fresh perspective, hunger, and raw determination—qualities that can be equally valuable inside a team.
Adapting to the Machinery
Even with a standardized platform like the Yamaha R7 used in WorldWCR, no two race weekends are ever identical.
Ramos benefits from familiarity, as her race bike closely resembles her training machine. However, she still needs to adapt to subtle differences in setup and performance across race conditions.
Ponziani highlights another challenge: bike allocation. With machines assigned rather than customized from the outset, riders must quickly adapt and fine-tune their setup—particularly in the early rounds of the season.
This makes the opening races especially important, as early confidence with the bike can set the tone for the rest of the year.
Handling Pressure: A Shared Philosophy
Despite their different career stages, both riders approach pressure in a similar way.
Ramos is clear that she doesn’t want to burden herself with expectations. For her, enjoyment is a key part of performance. Staying relaxed and focused on learning allows results to come naturally.
Ponziani shares that perspective. While she is driven to win, she believes that excessive pressure can be counterproductive. Maintaining a strong mental state and staying motivated—even when things don’t go to plan—is essential over a full season.
The Challenge of the Calendar
One of the biggest hurdles for Ramos will be learning new circuits quickly. With limited practice time—often just a single short session before qualifying—there is little margin for error.
Her experience is currently limited to a handful of tracks, including Jerez and Portimão, meaning much of the season will involve learning on the fly.
For Ponziani, the situation is different. For the first time, she enters a season already familiar with all the circuits on the calendar. That experience could prove crucial, allowing her to focus entirely on performance rather than adaptation.
A Partnership Built on Mutual Growth
Within the team, there is a clear sense of mutual respect. Ramos looks to Ponziani as a source of knowledge and guidance, while Ponziani recognizes the value of Ramos’s energy and ambition.
This dynamic could become a key strength for Klint Racing Team. In a championship where margins are often tight, having two riders pushing each other can accelerate development and improve overall performance.
Goals for 2026: Consistency and Contention
Both riders are aligned when it comes to their ambitions.
Ponziani is aiming to be consistently at the front, collecting points in every race and staying in the title fight until the final rounds. After narrowly missing out on a top-three championship finish last year, she knows how important consistency will be.
Ramos, meanwhile, is targeting steady progress. Her goal is to stay with the leading group, learn from each race, and build momentum over the season. If she can combine consistency with her natural speed, she could quickly become a serious contender.
All Eyes on the Season Ahead
The pairing of a seasoned competitor and a rising star makes Klint Racing Team one of the most interesting teams to watch in 2026.
For Ponziani, it’s a chance to turn experience into results. For Ramos, it’s an opportunity to prove that her early success was no fluke.
Different paths, different strengths—but the same ultimate goal: winning races and fighting for the championship.
