With the first-ever season of the FIM Women’s Circuit Racing World Championship closing in on a thrilling conclusion, Ana Carrasco (Evan Bros Racing Yamaha Team) spoke in-depth about the season so far, being in the group of four that consistently fights for wins and podiums plus the title fight, which Carrasco leads heading into the Circuito Estoril by just 9 points over rival Maria Herrera (Klint Forward Factory Team).

THE NEW CHAMPIONSHIP: “To be back in the WorldSBK paddock was important for me… I feel like here is home for me”

Carrasco previously spent five seasons competing in WorldSSP300, claiming the title in 2018 as she became the first woman to win a world title. She remained in the Championship until 2021 before she spent two seasons back in Moto3™. She then joined up for the inaugural WorldWCR campaign for this season and, in eight races so far, has taken eight podiums including three wins.

“This new Championship is going well at the moment,” began Carrasco when discussing WorldWCR. “The races are really interesting. We’re having a great fight and I’m enjoying the Championship. Coming back to win is really nice. To be back in the WorldSBK paddock was something important for me because I feel like here is home for me. I’m really happy and ready to fight.”

THE LEAD GROUP: “The top group’s having a lot of battles…”

This season has been the story of the ‘fantastic four’, with Carrasco, Herrera, Beatriz Neila (Ampito / Pata Prometeon Yamaha) and Sara Sanchez (511 Terra&Vita Racing Team) often leading the charge, although occasionally other riders join the fight. Carrasco reflected on the battles, where she’s come out on top on a few occasions, with the biggest winning margin this season just 0.511s, and this is the only winning gap over two tenths.

Speaking about the battles and her strengths, Carrasco said: “The top group’s having a lot of battles in all races at all circuits. When you fight this hard and you achieve victory, it’s even more special. You can’t always win in racing, so you have to be good when you win and when you lose. During the season, I felt better in the fast corners, and I think, this year, this is my biggest positive point.”

RIVALRIES AND TITLE FIGHTS: “To win by beating a rider with that level is really good… I think it’ll be decided in the last race at Jerez”

One key aspect of this season has been the rivalry between Carrasco and Herrera, which has reignited with both fighting at the front in WorldWCR. It’s something Carrasco spoke about, detailing how they’ve known each other since they were kids and how she feels beating Herrera would be ‘really good’ due to the #6’s speed and abilities.

On the rivalry, Carrasco said: “I’ve known Maria since we were 4 or 5 years old. Since minibikes, we’ve been racing together. To be in this Championship racing together, and fighting for the title, is something really good because to win by beating a rider with that level is really good. I want to fight with her until the end. I don’t care about who’s beating me in that moment because I only want to win.”

The Spanish rider also spoke about the title fight, believing it’ll go down to the wire. She said: “I think, in this Championship, it’ll be decided in the last race at Jerez. We’re all very close on points and it’ll be difficult to make a gap for the last race. If we get to Jerez in the last race, on the last lap, I will be really tough to beat.”

BEING CROWNED CHAMPION: “The biggest thing of my life…”

Carrasco was crowned World Champion for the first time at Magny-Cours in 2018 when she beat Mika Perez and Scott Deroue to the title, finishing ahead of Perez by just a single point. Speaking about this moment, Carrasco said: “Being World Champion was the biggest thing of my life because, since I was a kid, and I was starting to race, my dream was to get to the World Championship and be World Champion. After that moment, I became a professional rider. After that, a lot of things changed, and I had a lot of opportunities.”

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