Maria Herrera (29) was overlooked: “Because I’m a woman”

Although all motorbike racing series are open to male and female participants alike, very few women have managed to establish themselves in the long term, and even fewer on the international stage. One pioneer was Katja Poensgen. The German became the first woman to score World Championship points in the 250cc class at the 2001 Le Mans Grand Prix. And in 2018, the Spaniard Ana Carrasco made history by winning the Supersport 300 World Championship.

Today, female riders are a more common sight in the paddock, and with the Women’s Circuit Racing World Championship, there is now a dedicated world championship for women. The WorldWCR is intended to serve as a springboard into a mixed racing series, such as the Sportbike or Supersport World Championships.

As the reigning world champion and 2026 championship leader, Maria Herrera is currently the standout competitor in the Women’s World Championship. The Spaniard has been racing internationally since the age of 16 and has competed in Moto3, MotoE, the Supersport 300 World Championship and the Supersport World Championship.

But the 29-year-old has also experienced discrimination. “When I was leading the Spanish Championship in 2013, they didn’t give me the opportunity to move up to an official team. I simply wasn’t given that chance,” recalls Herrera. “I was leading the championship, and everything was going well. So I believe that the lack of this opportunity had to do with the fact that I’m a woman. I think we face more obstacles, at least at the start.”

Over the years, Herrera’s tenacity has paid off. She hopes for greater equality in all areas. “Over the years, I’ve always got on well with my teams. One or two drivers were difficult or perhaps reacted a bit too aggressively when I overtook them in the race. But generally speaking, I feel that other drivers and the paddock staff respect me,” said the 18-time WorldWCR winner from Toledo. “Of course, I’d like to see more female technicians. In my opinion, women can do any job – technician, mechanic, whatever. The situation is improving bit by bit, and there are now more female mechanics in the MotoGP paddock too. When I started racing, women only worked in organisational roles, in travel management or in hospitality.”