Roda: Carrasco joining Moto3 ‘a fitting end’ to Kawasaki journey

KRT WorldSBK Team Manager Guim Roda says Ana Carrasco getting a second opportunity in Moto3 is ‘a fitting end’ to her time with Kawasaki.

Robert Jones

01 Feb 2022

Ana Carrasco, Dutch WorldSSP 300 Race1, 24 July 2021
© Gold and Goose

Ana Carrasco is heading back to Moto3 after competing with Kawasaki in WorldSSP300 for the last five seasons.

Carrasco made history by becoming the first-ever woman to win an FIM world championship in 2018 as she got the better of Mika Perez by just one point.

Winner of seven races in Supersport300, Carrasco returns to Moto3 with the BOE SKX Racing team after already spending three seasons in the grand prix paddock (2013-15).

The Murcian rider has been a hugely popular figure in motorcycle racing since her stunning 2018 triumph, and while her return is certainly Moto3’s gain, it’s a loss that will without doubt be felt inside the WorldSBK paddock, none more so than Kawasaki.

“Ana’s move to Moto3 is a fitting end to a journey we started together in 2018,” said KRT WorldSBK Team Manager Roda “We are so proud to be part of the history now, and a Kawasaki Ninja will forever be recognised as the first ever bike that powered a woman to an FIM Motorcycle Open Championship.

“In 2018 she won the (WorldSSP300) championship which was a magical year, but I think 2019 and 2020 were when she performed the best. In 2019 she fought every race just losing second position in the championship on the last lap of the last race.

“In 2020 she pushed for the title again before her big crash in Estoril that was very nearly life changing – but Ana fought back to health as only she can. Across all this time David Salom was at her side as Team Manager guiding and advising her and he should be singled out for special praise.

“In 2021 she came back with no time to do winter testing properly due to her recovery process and was able to win in Misano showing she had lost none of her speed. Moto3 opens the door to new challenges and motivations. We are sure she will recover the winning edge she showed many times.

“On behalf of all in the Kawasaki family we wish Ana all the best and hope she can continue making history motivating women and demonstrating that they deserve the same opportunities in life as men.”

Carrasco's presence in Moto3 will see her join fellow Spanish woman Maria Herrera in the grand prix paddock, with the latter competing in MotoE once again.