Maria Herrera delivered another championship statement at the TT Circuit Assen by taking victory in a dramatic opening WorldWCR race, beating Beatriz Neila after an intense duel at the front. The reigning champion had to work hard for the win in a race interrupted by an early red flag, but once the action restarted she showed exactly why she remains the rider everyone is trying to catch in 2026.
Herrera and Neila were in a league of their own across the shortened contest, pulling more than ten seconds clear of the riders behind. While the final gap between them was only 0.083 seconds, the pair controlled the race from the front and turned Race 1 into a direct battle for top honours.
The result strengthens Herrera’s championship advantage, but Neila’s pace ensured the fight for the weekend is far from settled.
Early Drama Forces Restart
The original race start was halted almost immediately after a multi-rider crash at Turn 1 brought out the red flag. Several competitors were caught up in the incident, forcing race control to stop proceedings and reset the grid.
Because of the delay, the race distance was reduced to eight laps, leaving little margin for error and creating a sprint-style contest where every move mattered.
When the lights went out for the second time, Herrera made a clean launch and quickly settled into the lead. Neila reacted just as well and immediately attached herself to the rear of the leader’s Yamaha, making sure Herrera could not escape in the opening laps.
Herrera vs Neila Becomes the Main Event
As the race developed, the leading pair began to edge away from the chasing pack. Herrera looked especially comfortable through Assen’s flowing high-speed sections, where confidence and precision are essential. Neila, meanwhile, appeared strongest in the final sector and under braking, repeatedly closing the gap whenever Herrera tried to stretch the advantage.
Lap after lap, the pressure increased.
Neila studied every line, searching for a weakness. Herrera remained calm, hitting her markers and refusing to leave the door open. It was a tactical fight as much as a physical one, with both riders aware that one mistake would likely decide the outcome.
Final-Lap Battle Goes to Herrera
The race came alive in the closing stages when Neila launched her attack on the final lap. After shadowing Herrera for the entire contest, she made a bold move in the last sector and briefly looked capable of stealing the win.
But Herrera answered immediately.
Using all her experience, the Spaniard repositioned herself through the final chicane, got the drive onto the finish straight and crossed the line first by just 0.083 seconds.
It was a narrow victory, but one built on control, racecraft and composure under pressure.
Although she missed out on the win, Neila still left Race 1 with an important reward. Her fastest lap of 1’47.150, set on lap seven, earned her pole position for Race 2 and established a new lap record in the process.
Ponziani Claims First Podium of the Season
Behind the front two, the battle for third place was packed with tension and changing positions.
Klint Racing teammates Paola Ramos and Roberta Ponziani were both involved in the fight at the head of the chasing group, each looking capable of taking the final podium place.
Ponziani defended strongly when challenged and kept herself in the right position as the race entered its final lap. Then came heartbreak for Ramos, who crashed at the final corner while still in contention for a strong finish.
That misfortune opened the door for Ponziani, who took full advantage to secure her first podium result of the 2026 season.
For the Italian rider, it was a valuable result both for confidence and for the championship standings.
Chloe Jones and Sarapuech Impress
One of the standout comeback rides came from Chloe Jones.
The Monster Energy Crescent Yamaha rider pushed forward through the field with determination and clean overtakes, eventually securing fourth place after one of her strongest performances of the year so far.
Just behind her was Muklada Sarapuech, who had run as high as third during the race before crossing the line in fifth. The Thai rider missed fourth by only one tenth of a second and showed excellent pace throughout the eight-lap sprint.
Both riders demonstrated that the battle behind the leading title contenders is becoming increasingly competitive.
Strong Points for Rivera and Madrigal
Natalia Rivera continued a solid weekend with sixth place, adding another useful points haul for Terra & Vita GRT Yamaha.
Astrid Madrigal followed her home in seventh, strengthening her own campaign with another consistent finish.
Further down the order, three rookies celebrated milestone moments by scoring their first top ten finishes in WorldWCR competition.
Karolina Danak, Arianna Barale and Martina Guarino all left Race 1 with their first championship points, a significant achievement in their debut campaigns.
Crashes and Penalties Shape the Final Order
The final lap also brought more disappointment elsewhere in the field.
Lucie Boudesseul, Sara Sanchez and Paola Ramos all crashed before the flag in separate incidents, dramatically changing the finishing order and denying each rider the chance to score more points.
Ramos was later diagnosed with a right-hand contusion and will be assessed by doctors ahead of Sunday’s Race 2.
Earlier, Tayla Relph, Pakita Ruiz and Line Vieillard were unable to take the restart after being involved in the opening Turn 1 collision. Relph suffered left ankle and foot contusions and is due for further medical checks.
Meanwhile, Yvonne Cerpa, who had been running inside the top five, received a 37-second penalty for causing the Turn 1 crash. That sanction dropped her to 17th in the final classification.
Championship Standings After Race 1
Herrera’s victory extends her lead at the top of the table:
- Maria Herrera – 70 points
- Beatriz Neila – 52 points
- Paola Ramos – 45 points
- Roberta Ponziani – 39 points
- Natalia Rivera – 27 points
The gap is growing, but with another race still to come at Assen, the weekend remains wide open.
Key Facts
- Pole Position: Maria Herrera – 1’47.031
- Race 1 Winner: Maria Herrera
- Fastest Lap: Beatriz Neila – 1’47.150 (Lap 7, new lap record)
Rider Reactions
Maria Herrera – Terra & Vita GRT Yamaha WorldWCR
“I’m really happy with the result, but the race was not easy to manage. We had to restart after the crash, so I stayed very focused and tried to create a gap. Beatriz came with me, but I was strong in the final sector. I expected her to attack in the last chicane and she made an incredible move. Fortunately I could take the position back. I’m happy to be leading the standings and the goal is to keep finishing on the podium while improving race by race.”
Beatriz Neila – Ampito Crescent Yamaha
“The race was fantastic. It was short, but I enjoyed every lap. I studied Maria through each corner and tried to pass in the final sector. In the end she got back in front at the last chicane. Still, I’m happy because I feel I’ve made progress since Portimao. I know I have the speed, so if it’s dry tomorrow I’ll try again.”
Roberta Ponziani – Klint Racing Team
“It was a crazy race, especially the last lap. I’m happy with the podium and with the points. It’s important to stay consistent at the front. We still need to improve the setup, but hopefully tomorrow I can be even closer to the leaders.”
Race 1 Results
- Maria Herrera (Terra & Vita GRT Yamaha WorldWCR)
- Beatriz Neila (Ampito Crescent Yamaha) +0.083s
- Roberta Ponziani (Klint Racing Team) +10.803s
- Chloe Jones (Monster Energy Crescent Yamaha) +11.495s
- Muklada Sarapuech (EEST NJT Racing Team) +11.618s
- Natalia Rivera (Terra & Vita GRT Yamaha WorldWCR) +13.716s
Fastest Lap: Beatriz Neila – 1’47.150 (new lap record)
Race 2 Set for Another Showdown
Herrera has the win, but Neila has momentum and pole position for the second race. With Ramos hoping to recover, Ponziani gaining confidence and the chasing pack closing in, Sunday’s contest promises another fascinating chapter at Assen.
The Cathedral of Speed has already produced one thriller — and there may be an even bigger one still to come.
