The second season of the FIM Women’s Circuit Racing World Championship (WorldWCR) kicked off on April 11. With three different riders winning the first four races, Maria Herrera is leading but not yet dominating the championship. We continue with our WorldWCR Special Series of riders’ interviews. Today, we give you the the story of Italian rider Beatrice Barbera.
All photos © Denise Govoni
For many, motorsport is a lifelong dream pursued from childhood. For Beatrice Barbera, it began as a simple quest for independence. At 17 years of age, motorcycling was merely a means of transportation, but then a fateful day on a circuit ignited an unshakable passion in her. “My approach to motorsport wasn’t immediately ‘racing-focused’ like it is for many other female riders. It was only at 18, when I tried in a circuit for the first time, that I discovered my passion for speed. From there, it’s been an incredible journey.”
Born and raised in Italy, and having Valentino Rossi as her racing idol like many other italian riders, Beatrice’s career though, blossomed far from her Italian roots. “My career as a competitive racer truly began in 2016, when Chicho Lorenzo invited me to Spain to race as a wildcard in the Yamaha R3 Women’s Cup. Then, in 2018, he gave me another incredible opportunity by inviting me to compete in Mexico, in the Italika Cup. From that moment on, everything changed: I moved to Chile, where my passion for motorcycling turned into a true way of life. Since then, I’ve raced across Chile, Mexico, Brazil, and Argentina — unforgettable experiences that not only shaped me as a rider but also allowed me to embrace different cultures and build friendships with amazing riders from all over the world.
Deep down I feel like I was born in Latin America when it comes to my journey as a rider.
It was in Mexico that Beatrice met her ex-boyfriend and now business partner Antonio D’Angelo. They formed TEAM GP3 AD11 together to help nurture young female talent in motorsport. “I met Antonio in 2019 during my first race in Mexico, in my early years as a competitive rider. He taught me everything I know about motorcycles – not just about riding, but also about how to manage a team.”
That period of uncertainty and difficulty taught me to become stronger, to be patient, and to keep fighting to reach my goals, no matter how tough the path might seem.
Coming back to Europe, Beatrice has been racing in the Women’s European Cup (Championship) since 2020. However, her momentum faced a severe setback when she suffered an elbow injury at the end of 2023. Compounding these physical challenges were persistent financial hurdles, which cast doubt on her ability to participate in the inaugural season of the WorldWCR. “I suffered a displaced and fractured right elbow in an accident during the last race of the Women’s European Championship in October 2023. The doctors told me that recovering fully would take several months. At that time I was selected for the 2024 season of WorldWCR, but I didn’t yet have the budget secured to confirm my seat. The injury also meant that I didn’t have the physical certainty to return to my best form.”
In the end, Beatrice couldn’t take part in the full season of WorldWCR in 2024, but she managed to join the first round as a wildcard, taking in what the world championship has to offer. “I decided to take part in the very first round because it was important for me to start from the beginning of the new championship. Everything was new – the bikes, the format – for everyone, and racing at my home circuit gave me a sense of confidence and familiarity. It gave me the chance to see the level of all the riders right from the beginning, at the very start of the championship. At that point, I had only managed to test the bike two weeks earlier, and just for a few sessions. Despite the limited preparation, I knew that being there, at such an important event – the first ever Women’s World Championship in history – was something truly meaningful. ”
It was the realization of a dream I had carried in my heart since the very beginning. Standing there, knowing I had reached the highest level a rider can aspire to, made me feel that all the sacrifices, the challenges, and the hard work had been worth it.
Having contested at the highest level, Beatrice’s 2024 season was then set on a clear course – get ready for the second season of WorldWCR. “I knew I wasn’t yet at my best. Determined not to give up, I went through the selection process again for the 2025 season. Throughout 2024, I dedicated myself to building strong relationships with my current sponsors and looking for new opportunities, making sure I would be ready for the next big chance. When I was confirmed in December, I still didn’t have any solid agreements in place – only several verbal promises of support. Since then, I have secured a good portion of the necessary funding, and I’m continuing to work hard to complete the full budget, keeping in mind the unexpected challenges that can come up during a racing season.”
As a rookie in the championship, Beatrice’s goals for 2025 are tempered by humility. Initially targeting a top-15 finish, she re-calibrated after the season opener. “At the beginning of the season, based on my experience with the 2024 wildcard, my goal was to start the season aiming for a Top 15 finish and to end the year inside the Top 10. However, after the first race, I quickly realized that the level of competition is incredibly high, and that I need to work even harder if I want to achieve the goals I set for myself. Even though it was a bit demoralizing at first, I know this experience in the World Championship is an incredible chance, and I’m determined to take everything positive out of it.”
I see this as a huge opportunity to learn and grow, and I’m sure that my riding level will improve a lot throughout the season. It’s about learning, evolving, and becoming stronger race after race.
Between races, Beatrice commits to the relentless grind of preparation—sharpening her physical endurance, refining her technical precision, and securing the funding. Each element, indispensable to sustaining her racing career, demands equal focus. “At the moment, I can’t fully dedicate myself to motorsport because of financial reasons, so I work in a restaurant and an ice cream shop, training whenever I have free time – usually in the mornings. I split my time between CrossFit, riding practice on a training bike, and searching for sponsors to support my racing season.”
Beatrice’s dedication to motorsport doesn’t just stop at propelling her own career. The team she built with Antonio extends her vision beyond her personal success. “In the future, even if I am no longer racing, I would love to stay in motorsport, especially supporting women’s championships. On the team Antonio and I created together, I work particularly on bringing young female riders from all over the world to race in Europe. Right now, I’m still balancing everything with my regular job, but every day I am working towards making my dream a reality.”
Beatrice is steadily getting her grip on the championship. We wish her all the best of luck in her journey of dreamchasing!
The 2025 WorldWCR Calendar
1. Dutch Round, TT Circuit Assen – 11-13 April
2. Acerbis Italian Round, Cremona Circuit – 2-4 May
3. Prosecco DOC UK Round, Donington Park – 11-13 July
4. Hungarian Round, Balaton Park Circuit* – 25-27 July
5. French Round, Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours – 5-7 September
6. Spanish Round, Circuito de Jerez – Ángel Nieto – 17-19 October
* Subject to homologation
Paddock Sorority 
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