FIM FLAT TRACK WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND 9 & 10 PREVIEW - TOTORAS
Image courtesy of Jesper Veldhuizen
VRX Power Maxed Dirt Store Ducati Race Team are looking to complete a memorable debut FIM Flat Track World Championship season when the closing two rounds of 2026 take place in Argentina this weekend.
Ducati riders Tim Neave and Ashton Boughen are first and second in the standings heading into a double header at the Totoras venue, having won five of the previous eight rounds between them. Three of those wins have gone to Boughen but it is Neave who holds a 19-point lead in the series overall after a hugely consistent campaign which has seen him record six podium finishes and a lowest finish of fifth on his way to a total score of 169.
Should he maintain that record over the weekend, Boughen (150) would need to win both rounds and also record at least one fastest lap in the Final in order to have a chance of pipping his more experienced team-mate.
The teenager has also enjoyed a stunning introduction to the series, and he is well placed for a podium finish at least as he holds a five-point lead over fellow British rider Jack Bell (145), but the likes of Ervin Krajcovic (135), Gerard Bailo (132) and Pardubice winner Ondrej Svedik (126) could all force their way into top three contention.
In the manufacturers’ standings, only an unprecedented pair of results could deny Ducati the title as they lead KTM by 26 points with Triumph one point further behind.
The event itself will be a step into the unknown as the series visits Argentina for the first time, with the two meetings taking place on two different circuit configurations.
Round 9 on Saturday is staged on the TT circuit which includes two infield sections and may well benefit the local riders who have more track knowledge, whilst Round 10 reverts to more a more familiar configuration on the 599m oval circuit.
The majority of the top riders from the eight rounds staged in Europe are scheduled to be making the trip, but over half of the enhanced 32-rider line-up will be ‘home’ competitors in addition to series regular Santiago Arangio, and that will add a further layer of uncertainty to the proceedings.
VRX Power Maxed Dirt Store Ducati Race Team MD Rob Painter said: “To have won five rounds and to have held positions one and two for most of the year, and to be heading to Argentina in those positions, means it’s been a fantastic first season in the series for us and Ducati.
“Great work has been done by the team and our commercial partners and sponsors, and now it’s about getting the job done and making sure that we put in the best possible performance to secure the World Championship.
“That’s the first objective, but obviously we want to put in strong performances on both days, Saturday on the TT and Sunday on the oval, although we know there could well be a strong challenge from some of the local riders.“It will be fascinating to run on the TT having not had one in Europe, and it will be interesting to see how that plays out.
“Both of our riders have been doing as much practice as they can, and I think we go to Argentina in really good shape. At the moment I’m both excited and nervous in equal measure!”
The meetings get underway at 4pm local time on both Saturday and Sunday, which will be an 8pm UK start on Saturday and 7pm on Sunday due to the clocks changing at the end of BST. Live coverage will be available from FIM-moto.tv .
