Maria Herrera heads to 2021 WSBK SSP Opening Round in Aragon, Spain this weekend- sole female rider in category. Racing under Biblion Motoxracing Yamaha, Maria has locked in full race season, along with competing in FIM MotoE World Cup.
Having already gained 8th Overall after completing 2 MotoE Rounds on back-to-back race weekends earlier in May, Maria now turns her attention to WSBK SSP on board her YZF-R6, which as she admits requires adept adaptability on switching from one bike set-up to another.
Adjustment to challenges thrown Maria’s way through-out race career spanning from 2013 to present day has been #1 deal with what happens and move on #2 make changes where necessary even it that means cutting sole figure in GP paddock.
From making history as first female to win Moto3 race in 2013, to scoring best place finish of 11th in 2015 at Phillip Island, to racing as Owner-Rider in Moto3 in 2016-2017, to finishing 13th in 2018 World Supersport 300 standings with 45 points- Herrera has been there and done what she needed to at the time.
If clock was ticking, 2020 threw numerous curve balls with outbreak of COVID pandemic, disrupting race season, training and bike time. Yet, the fact remains, given the Spanish sensation has taken all challenges in her stride, silver linings were seen to be taken with time allowed to re-group, focus on what is important- be that family, friends and when allowed, time on the bike.
Maria’s take on developing riding technique lies in handling bikes cross-disciplines. Noticeably, the love for freedom racing her YZF-R tops the list, closely followed by dirt-bike, flat-track, mountain bike, followed by maintaining physical fitness at the gym. Now as 2021 season gets underway, such adaptability to race which-ever set of wheels will undoubtedly place Maria Herrera in great stead for race line-up in WSBK SSP Opening Round this weekend.
Words: Sharon Cox.
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