Ana Carrasco: The Superbike paddock opened up the opportunities of a lifetime for her

Ana Carrasco has been competing in the Supersport World Championship for two years, but has yet to finish in the points in any of the 34 races so far. The low point came at the Most round in 2025, when she failed to meet even the 105 per cent qualifying time requirement and had to watch the races from the stands. However, the Spanish rider should not be written off just yet, as it would not be the first time she has managed to break out of a sporting slump.

When she moved to the Supersport 300 World Championship in 2017 after three unsuccessful years in Moto3, she was a completely different rider. In her first year, she secured a victory at the demanding Portimão circuit and finished eighth in the World Championship. In 2018, the 29-year-old then made history as the first female solo world champion on the circuit.

“2017 was a very important year for me, because it was a completely new project, and I was also starting a new chapter in my career,” said Carrasco of her move at the time to the production-based world championship. “It was a decisive step in my career. In 2018, I fulfilled my lifelong dream. Ever since I started racing, it had always been my goal to become world champion, and achieving that was incredible. I’d worked towards getting this opportunity for many years, and when I finally made it, it was a feeling that’s hard to put into words.”

One shouldn’t downplay that triumph, because one of her rivals at the time was Manuel Gonzalez, who has a strong chance of winning the Moto2 World Championship this year and was tipped for a place in MotoGP.

“It felt like a reward for all the hard work I’d put in, and like something I’d achieved thanks to all the people who believed in me and supported me along the way. Now that more time has passed, it means even more to me. It’s part of my story, and I’m very proud of it. I like to think that this title marked a turning point in the world of motor racing and showed that women can compete and win at the highest level.”

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After a total of five years in the 300cc World Championship, Carrasco made another attempt in Moto3 – and failed again. The Women’s Circuit Racing World Championship – WorldWCR for short – established in 2024 and held as part of the Superbike World Championship, offered her a new opportunity.

“It was a significant year for me, as I’d joined WorldWCR after several difficult seasons – mainly due to injuries and projects that didn’t go as I’d hoped,” recalled the Honda rider. “I felt competitive again; winning races and fighting my way back into the title race was something very special. Getting the chance to become world champion once more was incredible. I felt that all the hard work and all the difficult moments had been worth it. It was also a year I really enjoyed. The battle on the track was very evenly matched, which led to some thrilling races. I enjoyed every race and loved being able to fight for victories again.”

Now Carrasco finds herself at a crossroads once again. One potential option for the Spaniard would be the new World Superbike Championship.