the pilot Ana Carrasco (Cehegín, 1997) finishes his preparations for the new Moto3 season. Hers is a story of success on the asphalt and that is one of the reasons why she was chosen as ambassador of the “Ellas conducen” initiative, which aims, among other aspects, to end the prejudices that surround women by steering wheel and in the vehicle sector. EFE interviewed him.
Question: A new season is coming up. How do you deal with it?
Answer: I want to start. Pre-season trials begin immediately. There is a little more than a month left for the first race and I am looking forward to the start of the championship.
Q: How do you feel now?
A: Right now, I’m feeling fine. Physically I’m better than ever and during the preseason I feel great. It’s true that I haven’t ridden Moto3 yet, so it’s hard to say how I feel. I worked really hard during the winter and I’m ready.
Q: What conclusions did you draw from what you experienced last season?
A: Last year, it was mostly to get on base. It was a last minute change, I hadn’t ridden a Moto 3 in almost eight years. We knew it was going to be complicated. Learned a lot about the bike, riding, to adapt to the new tires because it’s different in the Superbike world. All this served as an experience for this year and to try to start this one like we finished last year.
Q: How do you see your rivals this year? Who do you think is the favorite?
A: In Moto 3 it is quite difficult to predict what will happen. Many people have been in the category for a long time, there is a level. There will certainly be many drivers fighting for the championship. Until four or five races have passed, it will not be known who the candidates are for the title.
Q: There is talk of the possible creation of a women’s motorcycling World Championship. What do you think?
A: I only know a little, what I read in the media. I don’t have much information and can’t give much opinion.
Q: Would you consider being a part of something like this if it were to be done or is it your intention to continue competing in the men’s category?
A: Right now, I have a goal, which is the Moto3 World Championship this season. Looking to the future, I don’t know the opportunities I will get and where I will end up. For the moment I want to continue where I am now.
Q: Case in point, it’s a good thing there’s an open window for female pilots, isn’t it?
A: As an idea, it’s great because it gives a lot of girls a chance to make their way. Anything that’s an opportunity and an open door I think is fine.
Q: The campaign for which you are an ambassador aims to dispel the prejudices that exist around women behind the wheel. Have you ever experienced them on a motorcycle?
A: For me, being part of the “They drive” campaign is important because in some ways we defend similar values, me in the world of sports and them on a daily basis. There will always be obstacles, but with work and the desire to improve, they can be overcome.
Q: Do you feel the respect of the entire grid or are there riders who look at you differently because you are a woman?
A: I didn’t feel different and nothing made me different. Inside the circuit I’m just another pilot, my job is the same as everyone else’s and my goals are the same. I never had any problems in any championship.
Q: You recently had a social media scuffle with Álvaro Bautista. have you talked to him Is everything clear?
A: It was a set of those that can happen on a day-to-day basis, in the competition. By exposing it to the networks, it was greatly exaggerated, but in reality none of us had a problem with one. It should stay there.
Q: How do you handle the “weight” of being the only female driver on the grid?
A: I don’t feel heavy. I have the opportunity to be in the World Championship, to live my dream and do what I always wanted to do. I am privileged and on the circuit I feel like another pilot, I don’t feel that I have any different responsibilities than others.
Source: La Verdad
I’m Rose Herman and I work as an author for Today Times Live. My expertise lies in writing about sports, a passion of mine that has been with me since childhood. As part of my job, I provide comprehensive coverage on everything from football to tennis to golf.
