Race 1 Highlights:
Maria Herrera (Klint Forward Factory Team) took no prisoners in the first WorldWCR race of the year, the polesitter immediately taking control off the line and setting the pace to secure the win, despite the best efforts of Beatriz Neila (Ampito Crescent Yamaha).
A tenacious Neila did all she could to make Herrera’s life difficult in this thrilling season-opener. The #36 rider stuck close to her fellow Spaniard, chasing just a tenth behind and biding her time as she waited for an opportunity to pass. Battling hard with Herrera in the final stages, it was in fact Neila who crossed the line first, but a track limits penalty relegated her to second place.
The podium was rounded out by a tenacious Sara Sanchez (Terra&Vita GRT Yamaha WorldWCR Team) who, after losing a little ground off the line, was able to hunt down rookie Avalon Lewis (Carl Cox Motorsports) over the first half of the race.
An honourable mention goes to rookie Lewis. Fourth on the grid, the New Zealander made a very strong start and was soon embroiled in a battle with Sanchez for third. Fourth across the line, the #21 rider missed out on a podium finish by just over one second.
Roberta Ponziani (Klint Forward Racing Team) and 21-year-old rookie Chloe Jones (GR Motosport) battled it out for fifth place, embroiled in their own close battle for almost the entire duration of the race, with the Italian ultimately getting the better of the Brit to round out the top five.
Tayla Relph (Full Throttle Racing), Astrid Madrigal (Pons Italika Racing FIMLA), Emily Bondi (ZELOS Trasimeno) and Isis Carreno (Italika Racing FIMLA) formed a very competitive chasing group, the quartet crossing the line within five seconds of each other to place seventh to tenth.
It was Neila who set the fastest lap of the race, putting in a 1’47.685 on lap six, which gives her the advantage of starting from pole in Sunday’s Race 2. Joining her on the front row will be Herrera, second, and Sanchez, third.
Lucy Michel (TSL-Racing) crashed on lap five of the race, at turn 11. Taken to the Medical Centre, the German has been diagnosed with a chest bruise and will be reviewed before tomorrow’s warm-up. Later in the race, on lap nine, Lucy Boudesseul also suffered a fall. Assessed by circuit doctors, the French rider has been passed fit to compete in Sunday’s race.
Championship Standings:
Herrera leads the way in the general standings after snatching 25 points in Race 1
Neila and Sanchez place second and third, having banked 20 and 16 points respectively
Key Points:
Pole position: Maria Herrera (Klint Forward Factory Team) – 1’48.146
Race 1 winner: Maria Herrera
Race fastest lap: Beatriz Neila (Ampito Crescent Yamaha) – 1’47.685
P1 | Maria Herrera | Klint Forward Factory Team
“Finishing first in the first race is a great start, but Neila definitely put a lot into this race. I knew I needed to push hard from the start and try to build a gap because with a big group, it’s more difficult to finish the race. We had good pace, setting new lap records again and again. Neila and I had an amazing battle at the end, I saw how fast she was through certain corners, and I knew she would overtake through the last chicane, so I had to defend my position. For sure Neila, Sanchez, Ponziani and I are favourites for the title, but I want to be the rider to beat. I think conditions tomorrow will be cooler, maybe even rain, so we need to see but I think I can be strong anyway and want to be on the podium again.”
P2 | Beatriz Neila | Ampito Crescent Yamaha
“Incredible! I didn’t expect this to be honest. Maria and I both ran a good race, and I tried to overtake her in the last sector, but I just touched the green through the last corner. So I’m second in the end, but I’m really happy anyway, as I feel I’ve taken a good step this season compared to the end of last year. At the beginning of the race, I wasn’t sure I’d be able to stick with Maria, but a few laps in I realized it would be just the two of us. I did my best to fight hard and enjoy it. It’s important to start the season with a good result, it means a lot after all my hard work this winter and I’m very proud. As for tomorrow, I’ll be on pole having set the fastest time in race 1. And if it rains, it rains for all of us, so no problem for me!”
P3 | Sara Sanchez | Terra&Vita GRT Yamaha WorldWCR Team
“It was a difficult race because the girls out front were very fast. I found myself fighting with Avalon, which I didn’t expect to be honest. We had a few problems but will work to improve something on the bike ready for tomorrow’s race. We’ll try our best again in race 2, whatever the weather conditions might be.”
Race 1 Results
1. Maria Herrera (Klint Forward Racing Team)
2. Beatriz Neila (Ampito Crescent Yamaha) +0.133s
3. Sara Sanchez (Terra & Vita GRT Yamaha WorldWCR Team) +8.976s
4. Avalon Lewis (Carl Cox Motorsports) +10.348s
5. Roberta Ponziani (Klint Forward Racing Team) +16.455s
6. Chloe Jones (GR Motosport) +20.015s
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©Words/Images are from official press release posted courtesy of WorldWCR
