First female racer to make Moto2 debut

ADDING her name to short list of female racers to compete in Grand Prix racing, Elena Rosell will make her debut at Assen for the Aspar squad in the place of the injured Julian Simón.

Elena Rosell steps into the seat of the vacated Suter from the Stock Extreme Spanish Championship, where she currently lies fourth after two races. Simón was injured after Kenan Sofuoglu collided into him in the race at Catalunya and has so far missed Silverstone and will continue his rehabilitation and miss the Dutch TT.

Speaking ahead of the Dutch TT, Rosell said: "I still can't believe the opportunity I have this weekend. The possibility of me joining up with the MAPFRE Aspar Team for a race was first discussed last week and it has been a nerve-wracking few days for me.

"It is an opportunity I have been hoping for ever since I began racing and I have to thank the MAPFRE Aspar Team for the faith they have shown in me.

"I am going to make my Moto2 debut with one of the best teams and words can't describe how that makes me feel. I can't wait to get to Holland so that I can start to believe it."

Previous female racers who have ridden at Grand Prix level include Katja Poensgen who raced 250GPs, Tomoka Igata, Taru Rinne, Nikoletta Kovacs and Marketa Janakova.