The FIM Women’s Circuit Racing World Championship bursts back into action at the Cremona Circuit, the venue where it all began in May with testing, to kickstart the second half of the season. Beatriz Neila (Ampito / Pata Prometeon Yamaha) has been one of the standout riders this season, taking a podium at Donington Park and sitting fourth in the standings. In a special interview, Neila discusses her racing journey, the fierce fight in 2024 and being able to get advice from Jonathan Rea (Pata Prometeon Yamaha).
FAMILY HELP: “My father is a hairdresser… but now he’s a super good mechanic!”
Neila had her first bike when she was 8 years old, as a birthday gift, before advancing into racing on minibikes, and then MiniGP categories. She took the Mediterranean Women’s championship and Catalunya Women’s championship in 2016, before being selected for the Red Bull Rookies Cup. She then competed in WorldSSP300 before going on to compete in the Women’s European Cup, winning it four times between 2020 and 2023.
Discussing her racing career, and family support, Neila said: “My passion from racing comes from when I was 8. I knew that motorbikes would be my sport. My father is a hairdresser, and my mother helps my father. Now, he has improved a lot because he didn’t know about bikes but now, he’s a super good mechanic!”
DONINGTON PODIUM: “No words for what happened at Donington…”
Neila spoke about her delight of competing in WorldWCR in its inaugural season, while she also discussed her maiden podium at Donington Park, when she finished second behind Ana Carrasco (Evan Bros Racing Yamaha Team) by just half-a-second. Neila, who runs with the #36, also revealed that six-time WorldSBK Champion Rea had given her some advice on how to find time in Sector 4.
“To be here in this Championship is, for me, something amazing because I’ve dreamt a lot about this,” she began. “Jonny is the best. If I have a question, for example, about the track, I can ask him the question and he’ll say, ‘you have to do this line or this line or the other line’. At Donington, he told me that in the last sector, I had to cut the chicane, so I did. I think it was my best sector. I have no words for what happened at Donington because, for me, this podium meant a lot. I was smiling every time, and it was amazing. I’m fighting with more experienced women so I’m proud but I’m sure that I’ll improve some things that will be good for me.”
FIGHTING WITH HER RIVALS: “My target is to win a race first… important to have fun”
The inaugural WorldWCR campaign has been defined by four riders fighting consistently at the front: Maria Herrera (Klint Forward Factory Team), Sara Sanchez (511 Terra&Vita Racing Team), Carrasco and Neila. Herrera leads the standings with just 7 points between her and Carrasco, with Sanchez third and Neila fourth.
Discussing her rivalry and goals, Neila said: “Maria, Ana, and Sara have a lot of experience so it’s difficult. I’m working super hard to beat these girls. My target is also to win a race first and I think it’s more important to have fun. If you always have a smile and have fun with everything in this amazing Championship, the win, I think, is better.”
REA’S VIEW: “A race win’s up her sleeve this year…”
With the Pata Prometeon Yamaha team from WorldSBK involved in WorldWCR, and with Neila’s team, she has a great opportunity to learn from Rea. The Ulsterman was on hand to give his view on Neila’s season so far, being involved in WorldWCR, and what he believes she’ll be able to achieve.”
Rea said: “It feels so good to be involved with Beatriz this season. Having the same bike means the races are very close, some of the best racing this year has been in WorldWCR. It’s always nice to pass on some words of wisdom. She’s really strong on the brakes and she has some really good characteristics of her riding style. I think a race win’s up her sleeve this year and hopefully it’ll come sooner rather than later.”
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Source: WorldSBK.com