Maria Herrera shares her thoughts on racing World WCR 2024 – currently leading the Championship heading into Round 4 at Cremona, Italy, on September 20 – 22. With 129 points – 7 point buffer to P2 placed Ana Carrasco – the Klint Forward Factory Team rider has displayed incredible depth of talent, skill, and race-craft on track to maximize her potential for taking the first FIM Women’s Circuit Racing World Championship.
Straight up, Maria has capitalized on her knowledge, experience, and sheer know-how gained over a 10 year racing career to produce winning results over the course of 3 Rounds. From taking a double win at the Opening Round in Misano, to Race 2 win at Round 2 at Donington Park, to Race 1 win at Round 3 at Portimao, the Spanish rider has fought hard to embrace the sweet taste of victory – with 3 Rounds remaining.
And, racing against an equally competitive line-up of women, especially amongst the top 5 on the grid has produced super close lap-times with race strategy playing a key role in the final results. Take Maria’s winning margin of mere 0.580 seconds from P2 placed Ana Carrasco in Round 1: Race 1 – which endured Red Flags and re-start – to gap of 0.085 from fellow Spaniard Sara Sanchez in Race 2 – to the extremely tight inside back-cut on the final lap at Donington Park which proved a masterful move for Maria to seal race victory.
Such results have been hard won and reflect the strength of character, resilience, and tenacity of Maria both on and off the track. From making calculated decisions on how to gain upward trajectory of her racing career – knowing financial resources and a supportive Team are necessary components for success – MH6 has overcome all challenges presented through-out her racing career to produce victorious results on the track.
Specifically, Maria’s sense of values and principles of thought sets her apart from many racers. Setting and achieving goals, adapting to changes in plans, taking on board all learning curves thrown her way, and encouraging other women to ride and race – either for fun, pleasure or competition – sums up Maria’s take on her professional and personal life from one season to the next.
As Maria states: ”It was nice to see 28 women line-up for racing the World WCR Championship 2024. For sure the level is very different between the first and the last group but … for this reason we have to start with this Championship. I think it’s very important and the girls are improving a lot in every race and getting more experience – that is very important”.
”I feel super happy because my situation at the beginning of the Championship was very difficult. I couldn’t enter like a normal rider, I’m a wild card in all the races. So I couldn’t try the bike, I just tried a similar bike one month before the Championship started and the other girls have had 6 months training. So, for me it has not been an easy pre-season, but I’m happy with my results. I have tried to remember the riding style on a small bike which hasn’t been easy – we are riding at a good level with a standard bike”.
”For sure, the other girls are very fast but sometimes – I feel angry because in Practice I’m almost 1 sec faster and in the race the rider just behind me – it’s easy to follow someone… this category is like this. Also with Ana, she has changed all the bike, a new engine in the last race … so her bike was faster in the straight and I don’t like this in this championship”.
Heading into World WCR Round 4 at Cremona, Italy on September 20 – 22, Maria has eyes fixed, focused, and ready to deliver optimum results. ”I’m very focused to enjoy each training, I like this bike because it’s difficult to gain a big gap. So I’m really focused to push until the limit and to show my level of racing on the track with the others”.
Maria Herrera racing World WCR Round 2 at Donington Park Video: Team
Header photo: Maria Herrera currently leading World WCR 2024 Image: Team
Words: Sharon Cox.
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