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Pakita Ruiz (PS Racing Team 46+1) demonstrated great consistency in her 2024 FIM Women’s Circuit Racing World Championship season, finishing every race among the top ten, and finishing among the top five on three separate occasions. If this consistency is any indicator for next season, Pakita is set for a strong showing as she finished with back-to-back fifth place finishes to end the season at Jerez’s Prometeon Spanish Round.

FROM MAJORCA TO THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP: Ruiz’s idols

By sheer force of will Pakita Ruiz has forged a path in racing and with almost two decades of competitive racing experience, she is a smart operator. Like many Spaniards she has been inspired by the sporting successes of the likes of Rafa Nadal and Laia Sanz, but two of the figures to have influenced her most are Valentino Rossi and her own grandfather, both of whom had a role in choosing the famous 46 racing number. Family is clearly a big part of her racing journey and the 27-year-old from Mallorca has always had her younger brother at her side as she pursues her dreams, with her dedicated sibling having also been her mechanic for the last ten years.
 
A HIDDEN BIKE FINDS A RIDER: the path to WCR

Explaining the very beginning of her story as a rider, Ruiz recalls: “Although I was given my first bike for the Kings’ Day (Epiphany) by my uncle when I was three, my mother hid it from me, and it wasn't until I was six or seven years old when we moved house that I discovered it and then they couldn't take it away from me. That first bike was a 50cc Mini Cross Factory. I loved it and I didn't want to get off the bike. My first race was about six months after I found it!”

YEARS OF COMPETITIVE EXPERIENCE: her diverse history in the world of motorcycle racing

Starting from the 2006 season Ruiz competed in junior Minicross, Supermotard, Pit Bike, Motocross and Scooter championships, riding an array of bikes of various capacities from 65cc to 80cc and 125cc. A former Cuna de Campeones participant, she became the 80cc Open Champion of the Balearic Islands in 2011, before becoming Balearic Islands Supersport 600cc Champion in 2015. That season she would also become the Spanish Women's Champion in Stock 600cc, a title she would win again for the following four seasons. In 2020 she was Champion of the Women's ESBK Speed ​​Supersport 600cc category, an honour which she achieved again in 2022. She is also a former Yamaha R6 Cup Champion having competed in that competition as the only female on the grid the year she won it (2021).
 
TWO REASONS TO WEAR THE 46: top Inspirations

Whilst Ruiz mentions Marc Marquez, Pecco Bagnaia, Toprak Razgatlioglu and Jonathan Rea amongst her favourite current riders, it was Rossi who caught her eye as a youngster. She proudly uses the number 46 which is synonymous with ‘The Doctor’ in racing, but the number has extra significance for her. She acknowledges: “About using the number 46, I always used it when I was younger. Valentino was always winning and I’d always want to see what celebrations he would do, what outfit he would wear. My family are all Rossi fans.” Ruiz continues, “Then when I had to decide what number to continue with in road racing I thought, I’m going to stay with 46 because 1946 was the year that my grandfather was born. It's the same as Rossi’s number so the influence was a bit of both. My first memory with a motorcycle was when my grandfather took me to the square in my neighbourhood and all the children had their bikes and I was happy on the motorbike. Sadly my grandfather passed away too soon. He was always with me and my brother. He was the kindest person ever. It still affects me now.”
 
A DEDICATED RIDER: “It is like a fairy tale with a happy ending…”

Ruiz is passionately proud to be a Majorcan and loves spending time enjoying the beauty of the island, relaxing on the beach, visiting the mountains and forests and walking along the coast. However, racing is her true vocation, and she has battled hard over the years to fund her on-track career. In previous year, she went door to door to sell her race calendar and she is still working part-time cleaning houses to ensure she has enough money to race. “For me it means everything,” she says. “I love motorcycling and I have lived for it since I was little. In my case, it is a very special feeling, it is like a fairy tale with a happy ending. A dream come true. Since I was a child my dream has always been to be in a World Championship and to be a professional rider. Being able to work in what you are passionate about makes you unique and fills you with satisfaction.”
 
INSPIRING THE NEXT GENERATION: Ruiz´s message to the next generation

The last word goes to Ruiz on encouraging the next generation of young Spanish and international riders to pursue their own racing ambitions. “I would love to be an inspiration for many girls, women and athletes and for them to see themselves reflected in me,” she enthuses. “I think I can be a role model because despite the difficulties and lack of resources, I have never given up and I have always fought for my dreams. That is why I feel that it is super nice to get across to everyone, especially women, the message that despite the difficulties, they should always be what they want to be and not what they are told they can or cannot be.”

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