Ana Carrasco heads to Opening Round of 2021 WSBK SSP300 Championship in Aragon, Spain this coming weekend- a sheer massive call to action given what Ana has endured over past 9 months. Even summed up in her own words recently tattooed on her back ‘what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger’- how a high performance WSBK rider comes back after severe back injury has to be placed on the mantle-piece of all-time greats.
To get a glimpse on how Ana dealt with injuries sustained in testing crash at Circuito Estoril in September, 2020, peer back over course of Ana’s racing career which involves rising to all challenges to compete on bike from very early age. By 14 years old, Ana became the first female to compete and score points in 125cc category in FIM CEV Championship in 2011. By 2013- 2015 Ana broke barriers to compete in Moto3 Championship- enabling the emergence of females to race in the all-male category.
As history states, forward momentum retracts at some point during an athletes career- either from circumstances beyond a rider’s control in regard to availability of financial sponsors, or opportunities to race under Team whose principle resides in providing best possible bike, mechanics, and technical support on and off track. Ana encountered all above, until WSBK announced SSP300 category in 2017 for emerging talented riders.
As Ana recalls in recent interview ahead of 2021 WSBK SSP300 season, ‘winning 2018 World SSP300 World Championship was a special year for me, and changed my life for ever. Not only had I achieved one of my life goals but I became a symbol for other women to aspire and make their dreams real. On the grid, I am a racer like anyone else, not a woman but a competitor. It’s on this level I will race with the support of Provec and Kawasaki and my desire to win the Championship a record second time has been the fuel for my recent recovery’.
Fracturing 2 vertebrae, surgeries to implant plates alongside spine, then remove to aid physical rehabilitation remains overwhelming difficult process to go through, let alone overcome to race a bike. Time, weeks then months of painful pushing through limitations of movement, step-by-step progress no matter how small take a toll on mental stamina to see the whole from-bed-to-bike-to-race happen. Who could even imagine what Ana has endured, let alone achieve to be lining up on grid at WSBK Round One in 5 days time.
For sure, Ana has strength of character that has made the impossible-possible. Facts state- Women winning races in WSBK SSP300 Championship are rare indeed, given over 4 seasons Ana has clocked up winning the Title in 2018, plus 6 wins, with 11 podiums from 34 races and has finished top 3 in the Championship 2x.
The Kawasaki Ninja 400 rider has enough determination and unfinished business to compete when racing gets underway this coming weekend. Equally, the Spanish 24 year old has enough passion to race running through her veins which was temporarily put on hold half-way through 2020 season. All of which goes to show, Ana Carrasco will fix eyes firmly on prize, not just for herself to achieve best possible race performance but for those watching- marveling at what #11 has come back from over past 9 months in time.
Header Photo Ana Carrasco testing Motorland, Aragon, 2021.
Words: Sharon Cox.
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