WorldWCR Meet Maria Herrera - World Racing News

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Maria Herrera, Klint Forward Factory Team
Spanish, 28
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One of Motorsport’s Leading Female Competitors

Maria Herrera: A Decade of Elite Motorcycle Racing
Spanish rider Maria Herrera has spent over a decade at the forefront of elite motorcycle racing, establishing herself as one of the most experienced and talented riders in the WorldWCR. She has consistently competed against some of the world’s best male riders in the Moto3™ World Championship and WorldSSP300. This year, she is on a mission to become the first-ever WorldWCR titleholder while also participating in her sixth consecutive season in the MotoE™ championship, now riding for the KLINT Forward Factory Team.

The Beginning of a Two-Wheeled Journey

Early Passion Fueled by Family
Herrera’s love for motorcycles began at just six years old, inspired by her father and brothers, all avid motorcyclists. Her first bike, a Polini minibike previously raced by her father, sparked a passion that saw her riding tirelessly “until the gas ran out.” She fondly recalls her first race, finishing third at the age of six: “I remember winning €30 and sharing it with my two brothers.”

Roots in Oropesa and Talavera de la Reina

A Bond with WorldSBK Champion Álvaro Bautista
Born in Oropesa, Toledo, just southwest of Madrid, Herrera grew up near Talavera de la Reina, the hometown of double WorldSBK World Champion Álvaro Bautista. The two have known each other for years and share a deep respect, with Herrera describing Bautista as her favorite rider, admiring his “resilience and discipline.” She often trained with her father or Bautista, always striving to outpace him, making their competitive spirit a natural part of her development.

A Rapid Ascent in Racing

Breaking Barriers and Setting Records
Herrera’s career took off in the Spanish junior and national championships, where she became the first female rider to win a race in the FIM CEV Repsol series in 2013. She debuted in the Moto3™ World Championship that year as a wildcard, and by 2015, she completed her first full Grand Prix season with the Husqvarna Factory Laglisse team. Despite challenges in 2016, she continued to make her mark, transitioning to WorldSSP300 in 2018 and MotoE™ in 2019. In MotoE™, she recorded a best finish of fifth in Misano and is now in her sixth season, with 60 MotoE™ races and 54 Moto3™ Grands Prix under her belt, making her one of the most experienced female riders in the sport.

Promoting and Mentoring Female Talent

Herrera on Supporting the Next Generation
Herrera is passionate about mentoring young female riders. “It’s a pleasure to help other girls,” she says, referring to her role with the RFME women’s commission, where she leads training courses for riders aged 5 to 50. She emphasizes the importance of passing on the values of respect and perseverance in the sport. “Many girls ask me for advice on how to improve, and I’m happy to help them because they are the future. While this is my moment, I want to see other women succeed at the top level too.”

A Life of Constant Activity

Staying Fit and Creative
Herrera has always led an active lifestyle, having won prizes in skiing before dedicating herself to motorcycles, a sport she describes as offering “a feeling of happiness” and being “one of the most beautiful sports.” She also enjoys playing football, roller skating, and maintains her fitness through road and mountain biking, swimming, and painting animals in her downtime, striving to capture their essence, especially in their eyes.

Lessons from Family and Racing

Guidance from Her Father
Herrera credits her father as her greatest mentor. “He’s the person who understands life and how to solve problems. Having him by my side, especially during tough times, is invaluable.”

Perseverance Through Challenges
Reflecting on her career, Herrera shares a powerful lesson: “When I broke my back, I thought I couldn’t continue. But by setting small goals and training every day, I learned never to give up. No matter how difficult it gets, with hard work and belief in yourself, you can achieve anything.”

After the Pirelli Portuguese Round, Maria leads the championship standings with a seven-point advantage over Ana Carrasco.

WorldWCR will return to action at the Acerbis Italian Round
from September 20th to 22nd at the Cremona Circuit.

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