Race 2 Highlights: Neila Scores Maiden WorldWCR Win in Thrilling Assen Showdown
Beatriz Neila (Ampito Crescent Yamaha) delivered a sensational final-lap performance to secure her first-ever WorldWCR race win at the TT Circuit Assen, narrowly edging out Race 1 winner Maria Herrera (Klint Forward Factory Team) in an all-Spanish showdown.
Herrera led early, with Neila and promising rookie Avalon Lewis (Carl Cox Motorsport) immediately in pursuit. Sara Sanchez (Terra&Vita GRT Yamaha) soon joined the fray as the front group broke away. A fierce battle for the lead unfolded, with each rider taking turns at the front, but Neila timed her run to perfection, launching past Herrera at the line. Sanchez completed the podium in third.
Rookie Avalon Lewis, impressively running fourth, suffered a heartbreaking crash at the final corner but escaped uninjured after a strong debut weekend.
Behind the lead trio, Roberta Ponziani (Klint Forward Racing Team) produced a remarkable comeback ride. After slipping to 16th early on, the Italian surged through the field to claim fourth, just ahead of Pakita Ruiz, Tayla Relph, and Chloe Jones in a thrilling scrap for the top five.
Jones finished the Dutch round as the top rookie overall, earning 19 points across both races.
The final top ten was rounded out by Lucie Boudesseul (GMT94-Yamaha), and Pons Italika Racing FIMLA duo Astrid Madrigal and Isis Carreno, all scoring valuable championship points.
Despite earlier rain, the track dried before lights out, although lap times remained a second slower than Race 1.
Championship Standings after Round 1 (Assen)
- T1. Beatriz Neila – 45 pts
- T1. Maria Herrera – 45 pts
- 3. Sara Sanchez – 32 pts
- 4. Roberta Ponziani – 24 pts
- T5. Tayla Relph – 19 pts
- T5. Chloe Jones – 19 pts
Rider Quotes:
🏆 Beatriz Neila (P1):
“My first WorldWCR victory feels amazing. The wind made things tough, but I stayed focused on that final lap. I want to thank everyone, especially Johnny Rea for his support. This win is for the whole team!”
🥈 Maria Herrera (P2):
“I’m happy with second. The grip changed after the rain, and the wind made slipstreaming key. Bea was fast in Sector 4, so congrats to her. I’m confident heading to Cremona after testing well there.”
🥉 Sara Sanchez (P3):
“Much happier than after Race 1! I managed to stay with the leaders and the team did a great job. I’m aiming for another podium at Cremona.”
Race 2 Results
1. Beatriz Neila (Ampito Crescent Yamaha)
2. Maria Herrera (Klint Forward Racing Team) +0.173s
3. Sara Sanchez (Terra & Vita GRT Yamaha WorldWCR Team) +.423s
4. Roberta Ponziani (Klint Forward Racing Team) +19.732s
5. Pakita Ruiz (PR46+1 Racing Team) +19.919s
6. Tayla Relph (Full Throttle Racing) +20.203s
Official WordWCR Press Release
