Ana Carrasco (Evan Bros. Racing Yamaha Team) is one of the big names in the inaugural FIM Women’s Circuit Racing World Championship, with new opportunities arising to bring more diversity and inclusivity within the sport. This brand-new Championship promises to deliver excitement from the start and we caught up with Carrasco herself about this new chapter.

“IT’LL BE INTERESTING TO SEE AT CREMONA WHO THE BEST RIDERS ARE” – a new era dawns

Giving an overview of the Championship, Carrasco said of the positivity that comes from it: “The Championship is a very positive idea; it’s important that Dorna and the FIM tries to help all female riders. We’re not many and it’s important to get that help. For me, to be in this Championship was also important because for the first time ever, everyone is trying to push the female riders. I’m one of the top female riders around the world so I think it’s good for me to try and be in the Championship in this first year. It’s important that the Championship has the biggest level possible.”

Discussing the line-up, it will be fresh competition with new rivals emerging for the 2018 WorldSSP300 Champion: “The line-up will be interesting; I don’t know almost any of the riders because they come from different countries! It’ll be interesting to see at Cremona who the best riders are. I think it can be a good Championship if we are very fast. It’ll be a good Championship with a lot of fights. I see the Championship as a good platform to try and have some riders with good level and then move onto other classes inside the Champìonship. I think it’s a good idea.”

“IT’S IMPORTANT THAT TOP TEAMS PUSH WorldWCR” – synergy cascades through WorldSBK paddock

The Yamaha R7 will be the bike for all riders, with the Murcian rider talking about the style and also her Evan Bros. team: “It’s a step between 300cc and the 600cc, so it’s a good bike to do the Championship with. Almost every rider is coming from 300 so this is the best option so everyone adapts to the bike as fast as possible. The bike is very good; I’ve tried it at some tests at home and it’s quite big and good fun. The riding style is similar to a 300cc; the power is between a 300cc and the 600cc but the weight is more of a 600cc. You’ll have to be fast in the corners to not lose the speed.

“I’m so happy to be with Evan Bros. because it’s one of the top teams in the paddock; they have a lot of experience in WorldSSP so for me, it’s important to be in a team that I can have room to improve and try and move into WorldSSP. I’m happy to be in the team and I think it’s important that some top teams in the Championship are pushing the WorldWCR a lot because they have a lot of experience and they will help it grow faster.”

“AFTER THE TEST, IT’LL BE EASIER TO SEE WHICH RIDERS ARE ON TOP” – vital test at Cremona awaits

Looking forward to seeing who the main competition will be, the Cremona test will be vital for the 27-year-old: “I only know the Spanish riders; the others, I’ve never been on track with them. After the test, it’ll be easier to see which riders are on top. It’s a new circuit for almost everyone so it’ll be good; we’ll test the bikes there, the team and being on a neutral track will be good to see exactly what the level is. If you ride a lot in one circuit, maybe you’re quick but then, it changes. It’ll be a good place to do it.”

“THE WorldSBK PADDOCK IS LIKE HOME” – Carrasco back to make more history

With so much success before, Carrasco comes back to the paddock in which she’s enjoyed some of the best moments of her career: “I’m really happy because the WorldSBK paddock is like home; I spent the best years of my career here and it was important for me to come back here. I was two years in MotoGP™ and it was good but I was trying to come back here. I feel very good here and for a rider, it’s important to feel like you’re at home to give your best. I’m happy to be here and I hope to stay in the Superbike paddock a lot of time.”

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