Race 1 Recap:
Under blazing skies at Donington Park, it was Maria Herrera (Klint Forward Racing Team) who emerged victorious in a thrilling 12-lap contest, narrowly edging out Beatriz Neila (Ampito Crescent Yamaha) by just a tenth of a second to collect her third win of the WorldWCR season.
As the race wore on, temperatures soared—and so did the tension. A compelling three-rider scrap developed at the front, featuring championship leader Herrera, polesitter Neila, and the home crowd’s favourite, Chloe Jones (GR Motosport). The trio put on a spectacular show, with aggressive passes and tire-to-tire battles that lit up the Donington circuit.
Jones, eager to impress on home soil, made her intentions clear right from the green light. The British rider muscled her way into third place on the opening lap and never looked back. With sheer determination, she held her ground against the more experienced duo ahead of her, eventually finishing a strong third—just one second behind the race winner—and earning her maiden podium in the championship.
While Herrera stood atop the podium, it was Neila who notched up an important advantage for Sunday’s Race 2 by setting the fastest lap of the race, ensuring she will launch from pole position once again.
Sara Sanchez (Terra&Vita GRT Yamaha WorldWCR Team) had a mixed outing. After a slow start cost her early track position, the Spaniard fought back valiantly, climbing from fifth to third before ultimately surrendering the final podium spot to Jones and finishing fourth.
Lucie Boudesseul (GMT94-YAMAHA) delivered one of her strongest performances of the year, finally breaking into the top five. The French rider crossed the line less than five seconds behind the race winner—her best finish of the season so far and a clear sign of progress.
Further back, a tightly packed group battled over the remaining points-paying positions. Pakita Ruiz (PR46+1 Racing Team) led Jessica Howden (Team Trasimeno) and Ornella Ongaro (Ornella Ongaro Racing Team) to the flag, the three finishing sixth, seventh, and eighth respectively—all within three-tenths of a second of one another.
Despite struggling with a respiratory illness, Avalon Lewis (Carl Cox Motorsports) got off to a lightning start. The New Zealander quickly moved up into sixth but faded slightly in the second half of the race. Nonetheless, her gritty effort saw her secure ninth—a commendable result given the circumstances.
One of the most remarkable rides of the day came from Roberta Ponziani (Klint Forward Racing Team). Disqualified from Superpole due to a technical infringement, the Italian was forced to start from the back of the grid. Undeterred, she carved her way through the field with clinical precision, gaining an astounding 15 positions to finish tenth and salvage crucial points for her championship bid.
Australian newcomer Tara Morrison (Tara Morrison Racing) made her WorldWCR debut, bringing her bike home in 18th place. A solid effort from the rookie as she familiarized herself with the pace and demands of world championship competition.
There was disappointment for Mallory Dobbs (Diva Racing), who crashed early and failed to complete the race.
Championship Picture After Race 1:
Maria Herrera’s win sees her extend her lead at the top of the standings to 115 points. Beatriz Neila remains close behind on 97. Roberta Ponziani’s recovery ride keeps her firmly in contention with 75 points, while Sara Sanchez follows in fourth place with 69.
Race 1 Fast Facts:
- Pole Position: Beatriz Neila (Ampito Crescent Yamaha) – 1:39.687
- Race Winner: Maria Herrera (Klint Forward Racing Team)
- Fastest Lap: Beatriz Neila – 1:38.964
Rider Quotes:
P1 – Maria Herrera | Klint Forward Racing Team:
“That was a tough race. I tried early on to break away but couldn’t make the gap stick. My braking setup has been a problem this weekend, so I had to manage that the whole time. It wasn’t easy, but I enjoyed the fight—especially with Chloe right up there with us. I was focused on scoring good championship points today, and I’m happy with the result. Tomorrow will be another tough race, but we’re aiming to win again.”
P2 – Beatriz Neila | Ampito Crescent Yamaha:
“What a race! That final lap was intense. I realized I was in fourth and just knew I had to push—so I made my moves and got through to second. I’m happy with the result and the bonus of starting from pole tomorrow. The battles today were great and the race just flew by. I expect more of the same in Race 2, but hopefully I can go one better!”
P3 – Chloe Jones | GR Motosport:
“It’s an incredible feeling. To get my first podium here at home—it honestly doesn’t get better than that. I’ve got my family, my team, and all the local fans here cheering me on. I knew I had the pace for a top-three if I could improve my starts, and I did just that. The girls at the front have so much experience, and I learned so much from racing with them today. We’ve got a plan for tomorrow’s race, and I’ll be starting higher up too, so let’s see what we can do.”
Race 1 Results
1. Maria Herrera (Klint Forward Racing Team)
2. Beatriz Nelia (Ampito Crescent Yamaha) +0.155s
3. Chloe Jones (GR Motorsport) +1.044s
4. Sara Sanchez (Terra & Vita GRT Yamaha WorldWCR Team) +1.426s
5. Lucie Boudesseul (GMT94-YAMAHA) +4.837s
6. Pakita Ruiz (PR46+1 Racing Team) +21.691s
Official WorldWCR Press Release
