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Carrasco Sends a Strong Signal on Friday at Estoril

Superpole Highlights

Current WorldWCR championship leader Ana Carrasco (Evan Bros Racing Yamaha Team) showcased her determination at Friday’s Superpole at the Estoril Circuit, engaging in a thrilling battle with her rival, María Herrera (Klint Forward Factory Team).

Carrasco ultimately clinched the top spot, securing her second pole of the season. Demonstrating mastery in both wet practice and dry qualifying, the Spaniard made a strong start to this penultimate round of the championship.

Herrera, a title contender, and fellow Spaniard Beatriz Neila (Ampito / Pata Prometeon Yamaha), who managed to snatch third in the closing moments of the session, will join Carrasco on the front row for Saturday’s Race 1.

Second Row Standouts

On row two, Sara Sánchez (511 Terra&Vita Racing Team) secured a well-earned fourth place, followed by Tayla Relph (Tayco Motorsport) and Roberta Ponziani (Yamaha Motoxracing WCR Team), both of whom have gained momentum after achieving their first podium finishes at the recent Cremona round.

Astrid Madrigal (ITALIKA Racing FIMLA) and Pakita Ruiz (PS Racing Team 46+1) follow closely behind, with just half a second separating the third-placed rider from Ruiz in eighth place.

Top 10 Performers

Completing the top ten are Mallory Dobbs (Sekhmet Motorcycle Racing Team) and Jessica Howden (Team Trasimeno). Both riders bounced back after crashing during the morning’s wet practice session.

Portuguese wildcard Rafaela Peixoto (RP27), competing at her home track, qualified twenty-third, while Jamie Hanks-Elliott filled in for Sekhmet Motorcycle Racing’s Alyssia Whitmore, placing twenty-first despite a late-session crash.

Morning Practice Woes

A very wet practice session earlier in the day saw crashes from Ourednickova (DaftMotoracing by Smrz), who also fell during qualifying, as well as Howden, Dobbs, and Bondi (YART Zelos Black Knights Team). Despite the tricky conditions, it was Relph who set the fastest lap (2’06.801), finishing two seconds ahead of Ruiz, with Carrasco placing third.

Superpole Riders’ Reactions

P1 | Ana Carrasco | Evan Bros Racing Yamaha Team | 1’51.706
“I’m really happy because I didn’t even realize I was on pole until after I finished! I opted to go out on slicks straight away since we saw the track drying quickly, and that decision, though risky, paid off. This is my second pole of the season, and it’s great to start from the front row here with the championship in mind. Despite the full wet conditions during practice, I felt confident throughout both sessions, and I think we can take another step forward tomorrow. I’d prefer a dry race, but I’m ready for whatever comes.”

P2 | María Herrera | Klint Forward Factory Team | 1’52.065
“It was a strange day. Practice was fully wet, and I didn’t feel the best. Then, Superpole had mixed conditions. I went out on slicks early to avoid switching tires mid-session, and that helped me finish second. It’s a good place to start for tomorrow’s Race 1. I don’t know this track very well, so I’m still figuring out how to be fast in certain sections. If it’s dry tomorrow, I expect four or five riders fighting for the win. In the wet, I’ll need to improve my consistency since I struggled in practice. I’ll take things race by race with the goal to win.”

P3 | Beatriz Neila | Ampito / Pata Prometeon Yamaha | 1’53.613
“This is my first time qualifying on the front row, so it’s been a great Friday. Qualifying was tricky with the damp track early on, but it dried quickly. I’m very happy with third place, and I feel I have a good shot at the podium tomorrow. I’ll be giving it my all.”