Iryna Nadieieva (MPS.RT) has a unique story in her racing career. The 29-year-old began competing only four years ago, but her rapid rise saw her compete in the FIM Women’s Circuit Racing World Championship in its inaugural season. Nadieieva revealed more about her journey to this level, the challenges she faced and much more.
ORIGINAL FROM UKRAINE: more information about Nadieieva
29-year-old Ukrainian Iryna Nadieieva is a multi-talented woman who arrived at the highest level at a relatively late age, having competed in her first competition only four years ago. As a gifted gymnast who is also proficient in wakeboarding and snowboarding, she recognizes that motorcycling and racing are her true passion. She proudly takes her place on the inaugural WorldWCR grid, hoping to inspire more young Ukrainian women to take up racing and dreams of one day seeing a female MotoGP™ world champion.
HOW THE PASSION CAME: “I didn’t have enough money to buy a motorcycle, so a friend and I decided to buy one together…”
Explaining how she started road riding before taking up racing, Nadieieva reveals: “I didn’t have enough money to buy a motorbike, so a friend and I decided to buy a Yamaha FZ8 together. I had never been on a motorcycle before. It was unforgettable. If it is important to you and you love it, you will understand it from the first moment you try it. It’s a very emotional experience. Motorcycles gave me the best feelings of my life. I will never forget my first time on a motorcycle and I will never forget my first race. I can’t imagine what I could replace motorcycles with in my life. » Once she fell in love with motorcycles, it was clear that they would eventually become an integral part of her daily life…
START IN THE RACE: “My first race took place during the first round of the Ukrainian championship… I crashed on the first lap on Saturday and I got my first podium on Sunday! »
“My story is that of the road to the track,” explains the Ukrainian pilot. “I didn’t start running until I was 25. I wanted to improve my driving, because I didn’t have much confidence in the city and I wanted to do better. At that moment, I couldn’t even imagine where this decision would take me. I found a good trainer and in kyiv it’s difficult with track days, because we don’t have normal tracks, so we train on go-kart tracks. »
She details how she quickly progressed from smaller local circuits and lower capacity motorcycles to racing at an elite level against the most talented female drivers on the planet, adding: “I started on go-kart tracks on a small motorcycle. My first race was at the first round of the Ukrainian Superbike in 2020. I crashed on the first lap on Saturday and got my first podium on Sunday. I felt so alive and absolutely happy. At the end of the season I was second among women and at the end of 2021 I was already first in the women’s category and second overall in the Ukrainian STK600 category. Over the next few years I trained and raced a Yamaha R1 in the Spanish Yamaha Cup. There have been many failures and many victories. But the main thing is that I am still able to learn, acquire new skills and become faster every day. »
FAMILY HISTORY: “My parents never dreamed that their daughter would race a motorcycle! »
Unlike many professional drivers who were encouraged to take up the sport from a young age by parents and families with racing experience, Nadiedieva forged her own path to competition. Indeed, he even had to convince those around him of the beauty of the race through actions and words. She openly states: “My parents never thought in their wildest dreams that their daughter would ride a motorcycle. In my country there are many stereotypes that motorcycling is an extremely dangerous and very masculine sport. At first, my family took my hobby very badly. Mom cried a lot. It took me two years to prove to those around me that it was an interesting sport that requires a lot of work and professionalism. That women can be fast. That it’s a question of discipline and willpower. Now my family is very supportive and I know a lot of girls go to Ukrainian motorcycle schools because they want to be like me. It inspires me every day. »
HOPE FOR A LEGACY IN UKRAINE: “I hope that racing will develop in Ukraine, that infrastructure will be built…”
“In my opinion, my participation in WorldWCR is super important for my country,” says Nadieieva. “The race is at a very low level in Ukraine. We only have one circuit, called Chaika. It was built in 1973 and has never been renovated. This season will be a challenge for me and my team. We will definitely learn a lot about running and be able to teach others. I hope my participation will help increase people’s interest in the race. I want to show how beautiful this sport is. I hope that racing will develop in Ukraine, that infrastructure will be built and that many little boys and girls will be able to train properly to perform well in competitions. Of course, I am very proud to represent Ukraine. Ukrainians are very persistent, hardworking. We know not to give up and to follow through. I will try to be worthy of my country. »
EXPERIENCE OF 2024: “It’s very high level sport, but what I feel and what I saw there is absolutely wonderful”
“I have the impression that the WorldSBK paddock is very friendly and very warm,” admits Nadieieva, explaining what she discovered this year on the WorldWCR grid. “I thought the competition might be colder, but I think it’s really good. The girls are wonderful, I really like communicating with them. The boys are always very helpful and I think the competition is very fair. It’s a really cool place to be. We feel like friends who want to compete against each other. It’s a very high level sport, but what I feel and what I saw there is absolutely wonderful. »
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