Ana Carrasco: “I put the ‘Ride like a girl’ movement on the same level as my titles”

Ana Carrasco (March 10, 1997, Cehegín) He doesn’t consider himself an example of anything though the exploits of his career prove otherwise. The Murcian woman left in 2024 a test with injuries that could mean the end of her career and was able to become the first champion in the history of the Women’s Motorcycle World Championship. The second crown that continues to leave him as a great reference for every man, and especially every girl, who wants to dedicate himself to this sport.

In an interview for MD, offered by Motorcard, one of its sponsors, Ana explains that it is a pride to be something that she herself does not have: a female reference. He detailed his struggle with a back injury and what a second crown means to him. A most entertaining talk and full of lessons.

First women’s world champion, how is it in your mind?

If so. Especially the champion thing. I am super happy to be world champion again after a few years of suffering. Having two degrees is incredible to me.

It was a World Cup played to the last corner in Jerez. What do you think are the keys to winning the title?

Above all, the main key is consistency. I am the only driver who can be on the podium in all races. Ultimately, in this type of championship with some pretty intense weekends, it’s important not to make any mistakes. From my experience in the Supersport 300 title I already know that this is a championship decided by mistakes and I have to finish all the races on the podium. Tries to win when he can but knows how to settle for second or third when he doesn’t have weapons

What race did you enjoy the most?

Estoril race 1. For me, it was very important to win there, after the injury I suffered there also four years ago. For me it was a goal of the season and I really enjoyed that achievement. It was a tough challenge and to be competitive by taking pole position and achieving victory in the first race was something incredible.

Do you think this World Championship favors giving more visibility to the female figure in motorcycling or is it better to have a female rider in Moto3/Moto2 as was the case with you or Maria Herrera?

I think they are holding hands. I see this championship as a very important platform, a very big step forward because in the end it gives you the opportunity, especially for those who are just starting out, to have a goal to reach and have more references. Because of this, more girls are interested in this sport. Furthermore, racing under the Superbike umbrella, if you do well in this championship, doors will certainly open for you within other categories or championships. So I think it goes hand in hand. In the end, the more girls have the opportunity to be in the World Cup, the better and I believe that this championship can be a springboard for other championships.

Where do you think there is more room for improvement in this World Cup after this first year?

It’s hard to say because it’s a new championship. I think it was a success and better than we all expected. I think it’s difficult for it to evolve very quickly in the sense that it should be maintained for a couple of seasons or three for everyone to settle down more. I want it to evolve along the lines of more brands and not become a single-brand championship (Yamaha so far). Let more factories enter because it should progress towards a normal championship to have more opportunities and more ways within the category.

Do you value this title more than Supersport or can’t one value more than the other?

For me they are the same although it’s true that I experienced something different. In the end the first title is always special because it changes your life and the Supersport 300 championship changed my life so it’s hard to say which is more important. This one was also very good for me because I came from a difficult year, with injuries and results that I did not like. So winning races again, being on the podium and becoming world champion again is something very important for me. Being world champion is very difficult but repeating it is even more difficult.

We can say that they are two revenge World Cups. The first on a grid full of men and the second after testing injuries. Is this considered an example of validation?

Hmm… no. I consider myself a pilot who always tries to have the best for me, to achieve my dream. Along the way I had to experience many things, overcome many circumstances. But there was always a selfish goal to achieve my dream on a personal level. Every pilot has his own story. During these years I had no luck on my side and I went through very bad injuries but I don’t feel like an example of anything. Just be someone who tries to improve himself every day.

The back injury, as he says, is an ordeal. How would you explain to someone who hasn’t followed your career the process from that injury to this second title?

Summing it up is complicated because a lot has happened in four years. But it is true that even though injuries are part of this sport, an injury of this kind is complicated because it can mean the end of your sports career. It was a very long recovery and rehabilitation. I didn’t compete for nine months and when I came back I was suffering from discomfort for a long time. It was a very complicated injury that stopped me a lot and combined it with the change of category in Moto3, at a time when I was not good physically and the leg injury last year… it’s four years of great suffering When results don’t show up, it’s hard to pull the wagon. This title is well known. Both me and the people on my side always try to work with positivity and improve every day in the hope that things will change.

Are there any anecdotes or moments that might show suffering?

For me, the injury last year was a very difficult moment because I had a back injury, a year and a half in Moto3 was very difficult and then ending last year with the injury I got in Indonesia was difficult. I did everything to get back and finish the year on the bike but in the end I just couldn’t. For me it was a big blow to end my time in Moto3 like that. That was the last straw.

The ‘Ride like a girl’ movement has had massive support since its inception. Do you value it more than the titles themselves?

I give it a lot of importance. Gone but maybe at the same height. When we won the title in 2018 we started this movement because we believed it was time to change people’s mentality. This is a misleading phrase to women and eventually won the title as a girl it’s time to return it. Six years have passed and people continue to appreciate that movement. I was so excited to start it and it’s still going strong today.

Are young talents writing to you or asking for advice?

Especially on the circuits when I meet boys and girls when I’m training It’s clear that for the girls I’ve been a reference in all the years I’ve been in the world championships. I am very happy to be one. When I started competing, I had no female reference. My idol has always been men because they are the pilots who compete. So being a reference for girls who dream of reaching the World Cup makes me feel very proud.

Murcia is ‘on fire’ in motorcycling with you, Acosta, Aldeguer… what is being done to be successful?

Things have been done very well for a long time. Finally we have these riders in MotoGP references. But mainly it is because of the schools that we have here with very good people so that young people have a chance. Murcia has also established itself as a point where pilots from outside come to train. Motorcycling is a sport where we all know that financial support is needed and in this sense the president is doing a great job because he is not only supporting those of us in the elite but also those at the bottom. In the coming years we will have many Murcians in the World Cup.

To close, and surely no one likes being the champion just a few days ago… what are the goals today?

I don’t know. Everyone asks me the same thing but I haven’t had time to assimilate it much. Now it’s time to have fun. I hardly have time to celebrate and then prepare well for the next year. I don’t know where I will end up but we have to be ready.

Thanks Ana and congratulations again for the title

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