Let’s Meet Alejandra Fernández: “I Want to Lead by Example”

In the 2025 season, the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup has a girl on the starting grid for the first time since 2017. Making her debut in the KTM one-make series is Alejandra Fernández, who enters the championship eight years after the experience of today multiple European champion and WorldWCR rider Beatriz Neila.

Born in 2009, Fernández already boasts titles and podium finishes in Minimotard and in the MiniGP 110, 160, Moto5 and Promo3 classes, and she also competes in the European Talent Cup with the Angeluss Team. 2025 marks a huge milestone for the young Spaniard from Málaga, as being selected for the Rookies Cup means racing on several tracks that are completely new to her and sharing the paddock with MotoGP World Championship. So far, the season has been challenging, but Fernández managed to score an eighth-place finish in Race 2 at the Le Mans circuit, in mixed conditions, in a race won by Beñat Fernández.

Palmen in Motorradsport had the opportunity to interview Alejandra Fernández to learn more about her and her story.

Alejandra, how is your season in the Rookies Cup going?

It’s a great experience and I’m learning a lot race after race, since you can learn so much from every rider here. Little by little I’m improving, thanks to the advice I receive, and I’m adapting to the bike, which is totally different from the ones I rode in previous years. I also managed to get a nice eighth place in Race 2 at Le Mans, and that race will always have a place in my heart. I hope to repeat that performance and keep improving.

What's your goal in the Rookies Cup?

My goal is to move up the rankings at every race. I don’t have a specific target in terms of position, but I always want to improve and do my best.  

You're also racing in the European Talent Cup. How is that going?

I’m basically racing in the ETC to train and grow, since there are also very strong riders there. And just like in the Rookies Cup, we’re making progress and improving with every race.

This stage of your career comes after a path that hasn’t always been “linear”. In fact, you even risked having to stop. But how did your journey in motorcycling begin?

It all started when I was four years old, because my brother was racing motorcycles and, at one point, I insisted a lot on trying it too. So far, my sporting career has had beautiful moments, but also very difficult ones—like in 2022, when I announced I was stepping away from racing due to a lack of resources and sponsors. But then the Angeluss team believed in me, and I’m really grateful for everything they’re doing. And this year I got into the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup, which is a dream come true for me.

Can you tell us a bit about the first seasons of your career?

My first season happened when I was just six years old, on mini bikes. At first, I saw it more as a game and something fun, but now, where I am today, it’s a job. It takes discipline, commitment, and hard work. My best season was in 2020, when I was runner-up in the Spanish Championship and Andalusian Champion in the MiniGP 110 class.

And in recent years, you’ve become part of the Angeluss project, which is focused on helping more and more women enter the MotoGP world. What does it mean to you to be part of such an important initiative?

Being part of this team is wonderful, and I’m really happy because they help me so much. I’m very grateful to Aurora (Angelucci, ed), who is the founder of the team, for everything she does for all of us. It’s a completely female team, and that makes me really proud. I’m very happy, and we’re fighting and improving step by step.  

What do you think about the growing presence of women in motorcycle racing?

I’m happy that championships like the WorldWCR are being created, because they’re also an opportunity for us. Men have their own championship, even though we can race against them, and it’s nice to have a fully female championship as well. Personally, I’m really happy with the progress that’s been made, and proud to be one of the few girls to make it into the Rookies Cup. I want to lead by example for younger girls: if I made it, they can too. What matters is putting in effort, making sacrifices, and staying disciplined.

Speaking of women’s racing, do you prefer to continue racing against the boys, or would you consider switching to the Women's Circuit Racing World Championship in the future?

Right now, I want to continue the path I’m on, which means racing against the boys. But I wouldn’t exclude a move to the WorldWCR in the future, as it’s getting a lot of attention. For now, I want to keep going like this and see what happens.

And what’s your life like outside of racing?

Honestly, there’s not much of it because, like I said, this has become my job and I’m dedicating 100% of my time to motorcycles. Training, training, training, races... always the same routine. But I do it because it’s what I want to do. In the meantime, I’m also continuing my studies, so I have a plan B in case things don’t go well.

Talking about you as a rider...what’s your main strength, and what’s your main weakness?

My main strength is braking. My main weakness… I am not able to tell you right now! (laughs, ed).

Who inspires you, as a rider or as an athlete in general?

I’m inspired by Marc Márquez. He has always been my idol and will always be, for everything he has achieved, the commitment he puts in, and especially for how he came back after the serious injury he had. For me, he's making history.

What do you enjoy outside of racing?

I really enjoy spending time with my family and friends, and I love sports in general. Whenever I can do sports, even if it’s not motorcycling, I do it. For example, I really like handball, which I play as a hobby.

And finally, who do you want to especially thank for everything you’re experiencing?

I especially thank my family, because since I was little they have helped me a lot and invested a lot in my sporting career.

Palmen in Motorradsport thanks Alejandra Fernández for her time and wishes her all the best for the upcoming races and seasons.