FROM 2015

The Pata-sponsored European Junior Cup (EJC), powered by Honda, has announced an important new initiative in association with Dorna WSBK Organisation (DWO) and the FIM Europe. The FIM Europe Women's European Cup will run as an integral part of the Pata European Junior Cup and will compete on identical race-prepared Honda CBR650F motorcycles at all eight European rounds of the eni FIM Superbike World Championship.

Female riders will be eligible to score points in both the EJC and the Women's European Cup, and the highest points-scoring female will be crowned as the 2015 FIM Europe Women's European Cup champion.

The Women's European Cup is open to female racers aged between 14 and 23 years. The upper age limit for the Pata European Junior Cup male riders is now set at 21 years. This is in line with recent changes made to age limits for the FIM Europe Superstock 600 Championship and FIM Superstock 1000 Cup.

Gerry Bryce, series director for the Pata European Junior Cup, commented: "We're really happy and excited to announce this new initiative to encourage young women into motorcycle racing. Over the past years we have had several talented female racers competing in the Pata European Junior Cup, so it's great to extend that involvement into a new championship."

He added: "We can now offer the incentive of an affordable and unique women's championship whilst still competing with the young men on equal terms and on equal Honda machinery. The age increase for male riders follows the recent changes to other classes and is a positive move to offer even more young racers the opportunity to compete and develop their skills at an international level. Together with the launch of the new Honda CBR650F EJC control bike, these changes will provide a fantastic racing experience for talented young men and women in 2015 and beyond."