Daniela Guillén is set to face her fifth season in the Motocross World Championship this year. Since her debut in 2022 with two outstanding performances, she has claimed two runner-up finishes and a third place in 2025. The upcoming season will be long and demanding, beginning this very weekend for her at the Spanish Women’s Championship in Mérida.
She will undoubtedly be one of the riders to beat, although there is an obstacle in her path to reclaiming the number one plate in the national championship: the calendar. The scheduling conflict between domestic and international races is an ongoing issue that seems deeply rooted, with no clear solution in sight.
We spoke with the Spaniard rider, who will continue with Mequitec Racing and as part of the Royal Spanish Motorcycling Federation (RFME) team in 2026.
It’s been several months since the season ended. What have you been doing during this time?
Right after the last race, I took a reset — spending time with friends and family and putting motocross to one side. At the end of December, I started training again at home with Xevi Colomer, in my own environment. A few days ago, we began the intense pre-season at Mequitec’s base in Mequinenza with Pablo Lara.
Was that reset necessary after such a tough 2025 season?
I always like going back home to be with my family because during the season I can’t really spend time with them. It’s not that disconnecting is absolutely necessary, but it definitely helps you come back stronger.
Third in 2025 after being World Championship runner-up in 2023 and 2024. What do you think is missing to finally win the title?
There are many factors. At the end of the day, it’s a World Championship where everyone lines up to win. I need to focus on being strong physically and mentally and hope that sometimes luck is on my side too. I believe that if you give everything, stay motivated, and keep the right attitude, the results will come.
Does the difference in sponsorship support compared to some of your rivals also play a role?
Of course, financial backing always helps. For example, this month everyone is training in Riola Sardo, but if you don’t have the money to go, you simply can’t take advantage of it. Still, I believe that with effort you can achieve your goals anyway.
You’re already a fully established rider at just 20 years old. Can you make a living from motocross?
A clear no. If I had to personally cover everything that my smaller sponsors, Mequitec Racing, and the RFME currently support, it would be impossible. My inner circle tries to find ways to help me become more professional and eventually live from this sport, but the reality is always the same — “we’ll help you, we’ll help you,” and then the support never really arrives. Even so, thanks to those sponsors and supporters, I’m able to keep racing. If it were up to me alone, it wouldn’t be possible.
Last season you raced in the MX2 Spanish Championship to gain more race time. This year you’re also doing the Spanish Women’s Championship?
We’ll do both championships, as long as the races don’t clash. Racing with the guys is always great training, and after discussing it with my team, we decided it was also a good opportunity to fight for the women’s national title. But there’s a problem…
Do you mean the MXGP of Australia?
Yes, the Darwin round overlaps with MotorLand Aragón in the Spanish Championship. We already spoke with the RFME and they told us the date couldn’t be changed. I don’t understand it, because a Spanish MX1, MX2 or 125 round would never clash with a World Championship or European round. I don’t know how it will end, but it’s hard to understand how this can happen. Just like a regional race can’t overlap with a national one, a national shouldn’t clash with a World Championship event either.
Especially when you’re fighting for both titles…
Exactly, but honestly it shouldn’t matter whether it’s me or someone else. It simply shouldn’t happen.
And regarding the Women’s World Championship calendar — you still don’t know when it starts?
Well (laughs), that’s almost the least of it. What still shocks me is that we have six races* while the men have twenty. Not knowing when we start is ridiculous, but if you want to race the World Championship, that’s how it is. We’ve spoken to the promoter several times to see if changes could be made, but nothing happens. It feels like a lost battle.
Note: The WMX calendar has been updated to 5 GPs
A costly option, but still an option, would be racing in the United States. Have you considered that?
It’s an option, but more for the future. I don’t think too much about what might happen later on. Right now I’m focused on this year — trying to win the World Championship and continuing to train and work hard to make it happen.
Four years have passed since your World Championship debut. How have you grown?
In many ways, honestly — especially mentally. You mature over time and experience teaches you a lot. Now I manage pressure much better. Even when people don’t mean it in a bad way, hearing “come on, you have to win” or “you can do it” can sometimes affect you negatively. Once you learn to handle everything coming from your environment, your mindset changes completely.
You start racing this weekend in Mérida. Are you 100% ready for the long season?
No, not yet — maybe around 80%. There’s still a long way to go before the World Championship starts, so there’s no need to peak now. I’m not in bad shape, but there are still details to refine. This is a long-distance race.
What do you think about the calendar overall?
I haven’t studied it too much yet. There are more tracks I don’t know than ones I do, but I’ve watched videos and I think I can adapt well without any issues.
You’re very active on social media. Do you keep track of what your main rivals are doing?
No. To give you an idea, I don’t even follow some of them. It’s not something that concerns me. I focus on myself. I train to win, and what others do doesn’t really matter to me.
Thank you very much, it’s always a pleasure speaking with you.
Thank you.
