Asia Blends Youth and Experience for 2026 FIM Intercontinental Games in Brazil

FIM Asia has unveiled a balanced squad of rising stars and seasoned racers for the 2026 FIM Intercontinental Games in Goiânia, Brazil, this December.

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The 2026 FIM Intercontinental Games (ICG) will return for its second edition from 11 to 13 December at the Autódromo Internacional Ayrton Senna in Goiânia, Brazil, bringing together top motorcycle racing talents from the six FIM Continental Unions (CONU): Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, North America, and Oceania.

Following the successful inaugural edition in Jerez, Spain, in 2024, this year’s event introduces an exciting new MX2 motocross category, joining the existing Supersport (SSP) and Supersport 300 (SSP300) classes. The addition of off-road competition expands the Games into a true showcase of both circuit and motocross racing.

Each continental team will field 12 riders, with four competitors in each category. Teams are also allowed to include one specialist rider currently competing full-time in an FIM World Championship, while each class must feature at least one female rider. The remaining riders must be considered emerging talents who are not permanent FIM World Championship competitors during the 2026 season.

For the circuit racing categories, Yamaha will supply identical YZF-R3 and YZF-R7 machines to ensure a level playing field, while MX2 riders will compete on locally supplied motorcycles that comply with FIM regulations and match each rider’s preferred manufacturer.

FIM Asia combines experienced leaders with young talents

Ahead of the Games, FIM Asia has revealed a squad that combines championship-winning veterans with some of the region’s most promising young riders.

With the introduction of motocross this year, team management responsibilities have been divided between Akira Goto, who returns to oversee the circuit racing squad after leading the team at the previous edition, and Pie An Tan, who will manage the MX2 contingent.

Thailand’s Krittapat Keankum leads the SSP300 challenge

Heading FIM Asia’s SSP300 lineup is Thailand’s Krittapat Keankum, who arrives in Brazil after securing the 2026 Asia Road Racing Championship (ARRC) AP250 title with one round still remaining.

The 21-year-old has already gained valuable international experience after making a wildcard appearance in the FIM Supersport 300 World Championship at Misano in 2025, adding to an impressive résumé that includes multiple national titles.

Joining him is Indonesia’s Candra Hermawan, who currently sits fourth in the ARRC AP250 standings after competing alongside Keankum throughout the season.

Japan’s Riichi Takahira, the youngest member of the FIM Asia squad at just 17 years old, also earns a place in the SSP300 team. Despite suffering a DNF in the opening race of the season, Takahira currently holds tenth place in the championship.

Completing the quartet is Miu Nakahara of Japan, a familiar face from the inaugural Intercontinental Games. Nakahara has competed in the All Japan Road Race Championship, the Asia Road Racing Championship, and was previously the only woman selected for the TVS Asia One-Make Championship in 2022.

Experienced Supersport squad aims for strong finish

FIM Asia’s Supersport team is spearheaded by one of Japan’s most experienced female racers, Naoko Takasugi. Now 49 years old, Takasugi returns for her second Intercontinental Games appearance while continuing to lead the J-GP3 class in the All Japan Road Race Championship. Her extensive career includes competing in prestigious endurance races such as the 24 Heures Motos at Le Mans, the Suzuka 8 Hours, and the Bol d’Or, making her one of the most accomplished riders in the squad.

Representing the Philippines is Mckinley Paz, who moves up from SSP300 after competing in the previous Intercontinental Games. The former ARRC champion currently races in the ARRC SSP600 category, where he sits seventh overall.

Indonesia’s Arai Agaska also strengthens the Supersport lineup after an impressive rise through the ranks. The 18-year-old finished runner-up in last season’s R3 World Cup and currently competes in the inaugural FIM Sportbike World Championship.

Completing the Supersport team is Thailand’s Anupab Sarmoon, who enters the Games after another strong ARRC campaign. Currently second in the SSP600 standings with one round remaining, Sarmoon also brings valuable experience from competing in the FIM Supersport World Championship during the 2023 and 2024 seasons.

Strong motocross lineup adds another dimension

The addition of the MX2 category sees FIM Asia field an equally competitive off-road squad. Leading the team is Japan’s Toshiki Tomita, a three-time Japanese motocross champion and former competitor in the American Motorcyclist Association National Championship. Tomita has also represented Japan on multiple occasions at the prestigious FIM Motocross of Nations.

Joining him is fellow Japanese rider Manaka Kawai, who enjoyed another dominant season by claiming her fourth consecutive Ladies’ title in the All-Japan Motocross Championship and her sixth championship in the past seven years.

Thailand’s Witsarut Salangam, a former national motocross champion, adds further strength to the squad after competing in both the FMSCT Thailand Motocross Championship and the Indian Supercross Racing League this season.

The MX2 lineup is completed by Indonesia’s Muhammad Delvintor Alfarizi, who continues to make history for Indonesian motocross. The 25-year-old became the first Indonesian rider to regularly compete in the FIM MX2 Motocross World Championship, while also winning last season’s Indian Supercross Racing League 250cc India and Asia title, alongside multiple Indonesian national championships.

FIM Asia confident ahead of Brazil

FIM Asia President Abdulrahman Al Mannai expressed confidence in the team’s ability to represent the continent on the international stage.

“FIM Asia is honoured to confirm our official participation in the upcoming Intercontinental Games in Brazil this December. We will be proudly represented by a selection of our finest riders competing across all categories. This landmark event offers a fantastic platform to showcase the strength and talent of Asian motorcycling on the global stage.”

With a squad that successfully blends youth, experience, circuit specialists, and motocross champions, FIM Asia will be aiming to make a strong impression when the world’s continental teams gather in Brazil this December.