Ana Carrasco - “Tough to leave Kawasaki but Moto3 opportunity a logical step”

Ana Carrasco has officially confirmed she is exiting the Kawasaki stable ahead of the racing season in favour of a switch to the Grand Prix paddock and a return to the Moto3 World Championship in 2022.

The 24-year old is one of motorcycle racing’s most recognised personalities after making history as the first woman to clinch an FIM short circuit World Championship with her title-success in the 2018 WorldSSP 300 series.

Having made the entry-level series her home since its inauguration in 2017, Carrasco has gone on to win at least one race each season thereafter, achieving seven in total across five years.

However, after suffering a serious back injury in 2020 and struggling for consistent form in 2021, Carrasco will turn attention to prototype competition this year by joining the Boe SKX team in Moto3 aboard KTM machinery, marking a return to the championship she made her international debut back in 2013 aged only 16-years old.

While she is certain she is making the right decision for her career, she admits walking away from the WorldSSP 300 paddock and Kawasaki is particularly difficult.

“For sure, if one day if I have to leave this paddock, it will be difficult,” she said. “For me, the WorldSBK paddock is like my house. For many years, I was here. Also, for me, I think I’m the rider who I am because of WorldSBK. If I stay here or if I go out, for sure the WorldSBK paddock will be my home forever.”

“Racing is tough, not just on track where people see but also at times like this when you have to make tough decisions. My ambition is always to grow as a rider, to set myself new goals that other see as impossible and to achieve them.  

“This opportunity to ride in Moto3™ is a logical step in my mind even if the emotional step is hard. I would like to thank everyone at Kawasaki who truly made me feel part of a racing family, of course to my pit crews and team staff across these years who gave me the best machinery to compete on.

“I hope I can repay your kindness with a second World Championship. Thank you.”

Beyond her title-winning success, Carrasco also has the distinction of being the first woman to score points in any Grand Prix World Championship class when she finished 15th in the 2013 Malaysian Moto3 race. She followed this up with a run to eighth in the season-ending Valencia MotoGP finale.