After just the second round of the WorldWCR, the inaugural all-female Superbike Championship, I got the opportunity to catch up with competitor, Jessica Howden. At just 21 years old, the South African has already taken the world by storm. Despite facing some initial challenges, she remains committed to honing her skills and persevering against the odds.
To begin, we spoke of how Jessica first discovered her passion. Her journey started with weekend trips to the racetrack, where she “watched [her] father race cars”. It was during these visits she became captivated by the thrill of motorcycle racing. She recalls “ I asked my dad to try and as soon as I got on the bike I knew it’s what I wanted to do, I fell in love with the feeling it gives you”.
It seems fitting she credits her father as her first role model, as he “taught [her] the basics and he never gave up his sport, even in tough times”. However, in recent times, as she has begun to notice more female representation in the sport, she mentions Sara Sanchez. She fondly remarks of Sanchez, “...[I think] she is the fastest in the world and I’ve seen her go through bad luck and always bounce back and never give up”.
It is clear that Jessica values the ability to persevere through difficult times, perhaps it is due to the tough road she has endured on her path to the championship. Previously racing in the Women’s European Championship for two years, she reflects, “Year one was amazing. We had a win and a podium, and I felt I belonged here with these girls”. However, year 2 presented its challenges, including the struggle of “being away from home and family” , and an unfortunate injury coming into the first few races of the season. Despite this unlucky string of crashes, Jessica remained consistently in the Top 6, stating how “[They] knew [they] had the potential but luck wasn’t on my side”.
Fortunately, the WorldWCR recognised her promising abilities, resulting in her participation in this groundbreaking series. Though, it seems luck has not been on her side after a head injury, declaring her unfit for Round 2 at Donnington Park. It is Jessica’s personal belief that “luck is better than talent”, and whilst her introduction to the championship has been overshadowed by injury, there is no doubt surrounding her ability as one of the headliners in this year's campaign.
Letting her humble and charming personality shine through, she expressed that her most memorable moment this season has been the first race in Misano; “…looking at riders around me like Maria Herrera, Ana Carrasco, Sara Sanchez and Beatriz Neila Santos”, stands out as a highlight. She continues, “I’m overjoyed to race against the girls I’ve been watching on the tv for years. When I see them on track I still can’t believe I’m here.”
Her goals for this season remain realistic and modest. Whilst her original plan to aim for the Top 5 may have been foiled by injury, the plan to make up points and finish in the Top 8 has become her new objective. For the future, her hopes are to “battle with the top girls”. Finally, as she bravely admits, for her own personal development, she hopes to “get [her] mental health to a very high level". An incredibly important but often overlooked factor of remaining at the top level.
At the moment, the WorldWCR competitors each race on a Yamaha YZF-R7 at 5 exclusive tracks in Europe. So, of course it was pertinent to ask, if she could choose any bike on any track, what would she go for? She opted for the Factory Ducati V4R, and chose an incredibly dynamic track, Assen, articulating how “[She’s] always wanted to race there and [she’s] always loved Ducati".
Jessica's journey in the WorldWCR is a testament to her resilience and passion. Her advice to women and girls aspiring to enter the world of racing is simple yet powerful: “Stick with it and never give up, because whatever you go through, so does the best in the world”.
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