Italian racer Denise Dal Zotto is carving her path through women’s motorcycle racing with grit earned on British tracks and a mentorship under former World Superbike star Leon Haslam that’s propelling her into the global spotlight.

EARLY YEARS

Born August 8, 2004, in Feltre, Italy, Denise Dal Zotto grew up in a country steeped in racing tradition but found her early competitive footing far from home. At just 18 years old, she made the bold decision to relocate to England, immersing herself in the notoriously competitive British Superbike paddock. For two years, she navigated the challenging British circuits, racing in the British Junior Supersport Championship where she competed on a Kawasaki with Completely Motorbikes/Affinity Sports Academy. The experience was invaluable—British racing doesn’t coddle anyone, and Dal Zotto absorbed every hard lesson those tracks had to offer.

OTHER INTERESTS

Information about Dal Zotto’s interests outside of racing is not currently available in public records, though her social media presence and interviews suggest a singular focus on her racing career and continuous improvement on the bike.

EARLY SUCCESS

Dal Zotto’s formative years in the British paddock connected her with FHO Racing, the groundbreaking team run by Faye Ho that has become synonymous with developing female racing talent. In 2023, at 18, she joined an expanded roster of five female riders supported by FHO Racing, competing in British Supersport alongside Holly Harris, Scarlett Robinson, and Jamie Hanks-Elliott. The opportunity wasn’t just about seat time—it was about learning racecraft under pressure. She tallied eight championship points that season with a best finish of 11th, modest numbers that belied the experience she was banking for future campaigns.

Her connection to Leon Haslam, the former WorldSBK podium finisher and British Superbike champion who serves as a mentor through the Affinity Sports Academy program, proved transformative. Haslam’s technical knowledge and race-day coaching gave Dal Zotto insight into the mental game at the highest levels—lessons you can’t learn from a manual.

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

• 2022: Competed in British Junior Supersport Championship with Completely Motorbikes/Affinity Sports Academy.
• 2023: Scored eight championship points in British Supersport as part of the FHO Racing-supported program, achieving a best finish of 11th place.
• 2024: Returned to Italy to compete in both the Women’s CIV (Italian Championship) and Women’s European Championship with Team MotoXracing, immediately showing strong pace and scoring podium results including seventh in CIV Femminile and eighth in WEC at the opening Motosprint Round.
• 2024: Delivered thrilling performances at the WEC rounds in Cremona and Brno, demonstrating racecraft with “thrilling passes” and consistent top-10 potential.
• 2025: Made her WorldWCR (FIM Women’s Circuit Racing World Championship) debut as a wildcard at her home circuit in Cremona with Affinity Sports Academy Rokit Rookies, more than holding her own against the world’s best female racers.
• 2025: Competed in additional WorldWCR wildcard rounds at Donington Park and Jerez, gaining invaluable world championship experience while maintaining her relationship with mentor Leon Haslam.
• 2025: Raced in the Yamaha R7 European Cup SuperFinale, continuing to diversify her racing portfolio and sharpen her skills on different machinery.

INSPIRATIONS

While Dal Zotto hasn’t publicly detailed specific racing heroes, her career path speaks volumes about who’s influenced her trajectory. Working directly with Leon Haslam has given her a front-row seat to what world-class preparation and racecraft look like. The mentorship through Affinity Sports Academy—and Haslam’s continued involvement in her development—suggests she’s inspired by riders who’ve competed at the highest levels and understands what it takes to get there. Her decision to race in Britain, rather than taking an easier path through Italian junior categories, shows she’s drawn to challenges that force growth.

REPUTATION

Dal Zotto has built a reputation as a determined, adaptable racer who isn’t afraid to put herself in uncomfortable situations if it means improving. Her two years in the ultra-competitive British paddock earned respect—not for dominating, but for showing up and learning. When she returned to Italy in 2024, that British education paid immediate dividends. She arrived with sharper racecraft and the confidence to run with established competitors in the Women’s European Championship and Italian Women’s series.

Team managers and fellow competitors recognize her work ethic and willingness to take feedback. Her performances at Cremona as a WorldWCR wildcard in 2025 reinforced that reputation—she didn’t just make up the numbers; she raced. The Italian press in her home region of Feltre has taken notice, celebrating her as a young promise of Italian motorcycling who took the unconventional route to get better. In interviews, she comes across as thoughtful and self-aware, someone who understands that talent alone won’t cut it at the world level.

FUTURE GOALS/PLANS

Dal Zotto’s trajectory points firmly toward a full-time ride in the FIM Women’s Circuit Racing World Championship. After wildcard appearances in 2025 gave her a taste of racing against the world’s best, she secured a spot on the 2026 WorldWCR entry list with PATA AG Motorsport Italia, riding a Yamaha YZF-R7. The move pairs her with an experienced Italian team while maintaining her connection to the Affinity Sports Academy and Leon Haslam’s guidance—a combination that could prove potent.

The 2026 season will be her real test. No more wildcards, no more dipping her toe—she’ll be on the grid for all six rounds, battling week in and week out against established championship contenders. It’s exactly the challenge she’s been building toward since she left Italy as a teenager. With British racecraft, Italian determination, and world-class mentorship in her corner, Denise Dal Zotto is positioning herself as a rider to watch in the women’s world championship conversation.

REFERENCES

[1] Denise Dal Zotto – WorldSBK Rider Profile
[2] 2025 FIM Women’s Circuit Racing World Championship – Wikipedia
[3] WorldWCR: Race Two Results From Cremona – Roadracing World
[4] Denise Dal Zotto and Silvia Comincioli to Line Up with MotoXRacing – MotoXRacing
[5] 2026 WorldWCR Entry List Confirmed – Cycle News
[6] How One Team Boss is Shaping Motorcycling’s Female Future – Motorsport.com
[7] FHO Racing Expands Support for Female Racers in 2023 – British Superbike
[8] A Podium for Team MotoXracing at the Essedi Round – MotoXRacing
[9] Denise Dal Zotto nel Mondiale Femminile – Corsedimoto
[10] WorldWCR: Race Two Results From Donington Park – Roadracing World
[11] Dal Zotto, nuova vita sportiva in Italia – Corriere delle Alpi
[12] FHO Racing Expands Support for Female Racers in 2023 – FHO Racing
[13] Recapping the Opening Day of WorldSBK at Cremona – MCNews