Thai sensation Muklada Sarapuech (33): Improving with every race

As a Thai national, Muklada Sarapuech has one of the longest journeys to the races in the 2026 Women’s Circuit Racing World Championship. In fact, however, the 33-year-old is spending most of this year in Europe. “I’m also competing in the Spanish R7 Cup championship. And there’s hardly any time between events to travel home,” Sarapuech lamented.

Taking part in the one-make cup in Spain gives Sarapuech the advantage of getting to know more European circuits. Whilst this doesn’t offer any advantage for this season – as the WorldWCR did not visit Aragon at the end of May or Estoril in October – Sarapuech will be competing in the Women’s World Championship again in 2027, and she could then benefit from her knowledge of the circuits.

“The biggest challenge for me is the circuits themselves. They’re different from the Asian tracks, and I’ve never driven on them before,” Sarapuech admitted. “What’s more, my rivals in the WorldWCR are very experienced and strong. I need to be in peak physical condition, but I’m making progress lap by lap – you never stop learning. I want to reach the point where I can fight for race wins. So the aim is to keep training and keep improving.”

Sarapuech has already secured third places at Misano and Donington, albeit 13 and 5 seconds behind winner Maria Herrera. At the season finale in Jerez, she has her last chance to climb onto the top step of the podium.

“I’ve learnt so much this season – not just technically, in terms of riding style, but also when it comes to nutrition and training: what I should eat and how I should train, the gym, cycling – a bit of everything, really,” says Sarapuech. “It’s brilliant that I have the opportunity to learn so much and develop in this way.”