Anastassia Kovalenko makes motorsport history

Anastassia Kovalenko, the best female motorcycle athlete of the year in Estonia, is one of the new generation of female racers in Northern European road racing history to race at international level. Anastassia was chosen to race in the prestigious European Junior Cup, the eight rounds of which on various European tracks are held as part of the World Superbike championship series. As from this year, the competition incorporates a separate Women’s European Cup where 10 women from across the world are selected to race; Anastassia Kovalenko is to represent Northern Europe.

Anastassia Kovalenko rides under one of Finland’s most famous road racing teams Kallio Racing, the name of which is foremost known thanks to Mika Kallio, a Grand Prix Moto2 title contender as well as one of the managers of the team. This season, Anastassia won the Superstock 600 B class championship in Estonia and gained the title of the best female motorcycle athlete of the year in Estonia.

“It’s a great honor to be the chosen one in a prestigious series such as this one. Candidates included racers from across the world and I thought my chances weren’t that great. I think my participation a year ago in the International Motorcycle Federation’s training camp for female racers helped a lot. During the camp, I managed to be noticed by the organizers because of my racing style and we had discussions at the camp about popularizing the sport among women. I’m sure the season will be difficult as the tracks are all new for me as is the Honda motorcycle prepared for me by the series. Competition is very tight there every year and the racers are fast. Racing mastery plays an important role in the series as conditions are exactly the same for everybody – all of the racers have the same bike, the same tires and the same amount of tires. Fortunately, I’m still supported by the Kallio Racing team where Mika Kallio, a MotoGP racer, sometimes helps me by providing instruction.”