Maria Paula Mapis grew up in Bogota, Colombia, dreaming of becoming a motorbike racer like her sporting heroes, the legendary Valentino Rossi and Marc Márquez. She initially fed her need for speed by taking up rollerblading before switching to racing motorbikes on track and off road, competing in several all-female competitions, including third place overall in the LatinoAmericano Feminino and P3 in the single-make Italika Women’s Internacional. Away from the track, Maria is studying graphic design and her hobbies include acting, modelling and working out at the gym.