Maria Herrera

María Herrera

Date of birth: 08/26/1996 Birthplace: Madrid, Spain Hometown: Sant Cugat High Performance Centre (Barcelona) Hobbies: Running, cycling and drawing Nacionality: Spanish Years as Repsol rider: 3 (including 2014)

Sporting Career

Biography

Not remembering when you rode a bike for the first time is not very common, but neither is the passion of Maria Herrera (August 26, 1996, Oropesa, Toledo) for motorcycles. She began in the world of two wheels thanks to her father, who transmitted his love of motorcycles and speed to her. Herrera Sr. had already done likewise with MotoGP rider Alvaro Bautista, helping him at the beginning of his career. Bautista is now Maria’s sporting sponsor.

The youngster climbed on a motorcycle for the first time when her classmates at school were still playing with dolls. She did so on a 50cc farm bike and, a few months later, entered the Cuna de Campeones series. Her precocious talent did not go unnoticed by the organisers, who selected and sponsored her. Fifth place in her first race was the prelude to seven consecutive years in the championship. Herrera alternated those races with participation in the World Festival Metrakit competition, which she won twice.

Her overall second place in the Cuna de Campeones Pre 125cc GP series in 2010 opened the doors to the Monlau Competition team, with whom she contested the Mediterranean Championship Pre Moto3 campaign the following season. From six rounds of the competition, Herrera took three wins, one second place and a third place -sufficient results to be crowned champion in her first year with one race remaining.

Her potential led to Repsol enrolling Maria Herrera in their ranks in 2012, for the CEV Moto3 Spanish Championship. The young Spaniard took the place vacated by Alex Rins as he moved up to the World Championship, and she would share a garage with eventual Alex Marquez.  Technical problems in the opening round and a fractured shoulder blade in the second hindered her debut year. Race after race, Herrera improved her results and acquired important experience.

In 2013 she earned national media attention by becoming the first woman to win a race in the CEV Repsol, on 26th May at Aragon. She scored another victory at Navarra and only a crash in the final race denied her the national title. Her success, culminating in her finishing in fourth position overall, earned her a wildcard invitation for the Moto3 Grand Prix of Aragon and a  debut World Championship appearance.

This year she has begun the FIM CEV Repsol season well. A second place and a victory at the first meeting at Jerez put her joint leader with teammate Fabio Quartararo. She will participate as a wildcard in all four Spanish World Championship events (Jerez, Catalonia, Aragon and Valencia) in the Moto3 class this season.