WorldWCR Season Opener: Herrera Seals Victory After Thrilling Duel with Neila in Race 1 at Assen
Opening Drama as WorldWCR Kicks Off at Assen
The 2024 WorldWCR season got underway in electrifying fashion at Assen, and it was Maria Herrera (Klint Forward Factory Team) who delivered a statement performance. Starting from pole, the Spanish rider wasted no time asserting her dominance, launching off the line with intent and controlling the pace from the front. Despite relentless pressure from Beatriz Neila (Ampito Crescent Yamaha), Herrera kept her cool and crossed the line in first place to claim the inaugural victory of the season.
Neila Keeps Herrera on Her Toes in Fierce Season Opener
While Herrera led from the front, Neila wasn’t about to let her have it easy. The #36 Yamaha rider shadowed her compatriot closely throughout the race, staying within striking distance and applying constant pressure. As the race entered its final laps, Neila saw her opportunity and made a move on the final sector. She was the first to cross the finish line in a heart-stopping finale, but her joy was short-lived. A track limits violation at the final chicane saw her handed a penalty, demoting her to second place. Regardless, Neila’s performance was a clear warning to the rest of the field that she’s in it for the title this year.
Sara Sanchez Claims Final Podium Spot After Dogged Charge
Sara Sanchez (Terra&Vita GRT Yamaha WorldWCR Team) rounded out the podium in third. Despite a slightly slow getaway, Sanchez quickly found her rhythm. She hunted down New Zealand’s Avalon Lewis (Carl Cox Motorsports), a rookie making her debut at this level, and eventually edged her out after a gripping first-half battle. Sanchez’s race craft and consistency paid off, allowing her to claim a solid third-place finish to kickstart her campaign.
Rookie Lewis Impresses in Strong Debut Performance
Avalon Lewis may have missed out on the podium, but her performance was nothing short of impressive. Lining up fourth on the grid, the New Zealander launched off the line with confidence, settling into the leading group and defending third from the more experienced Sanchez. Though she eventually slipped to fourth, she finished just over a second behind the podium, marking her debut with a performance that suggests she’ll be a force to be reckoned with.
Ponziani Edges Rookie Jones in Intense Midfield Battle
Fifth place went to Roberta Ponziani (Klint Forward Racing Team), who was engaged in a fierce and almost race-long battle with 21-year-old Chloe Jones (GR Motosport). The British rookie matched Ponziani stride for stride in one of the race’s most competitive duels, but the Italian’s experience proved decisive in the closing laps, allowing her to seal the top-five finish.
Mid-Pack Showdown for Top 10 Points
Further down the order, a tight-knit group of riders lit up the middle of the pack. Tayla Relph (Full Throttle Racing), Astrid Madrigal (Pons Italika Racing FIMLA), Emily Bondi (ZELOS Trasimeno), and Isis Carreno (Italika Racing FIMLA) crossed the line within five seconds of each other to claim seventh through tenth, respectively. Their battle offered nonstop action, demonstrating the depth of talent in this year’s field.
Neila Sets the Pace for Race 2 With Fastest Lap
Despite the penalty, Neila had something to take away from Race 1—she recorded the fastest lap of the race with a 1’47.685 on lap six. That blistering pace secures her pole position for Sunday’s Race 2. Herrera will start alongside her in second, with Sanchez lining up third on the front row.
Crashes and Medical Updates
There were a couple of incidents during the race. Lucy Michel (TSL-Racing) crashed at Turn 11 on lap five and was taken to the Medical Centre. She was diagnosed with a chest bruise and will undergo further evaluation ahead of Sunday’s warm-up. On lap nine, French rider Lucy Boudesseul also crashed but was later assessed and cleared fit to compete in Race 2.
Championship Standings After Race 1
Maria Herrera tops the standings with 25 points from her Race 1 win, while Neila, despite her penalty, takes home 20 points for second place. Sanchez begins her season with a solid 16 points in third. With only a single round completed, it’s still early days, but the tone for an exciting season has certainly been set.
Quick Recap – Key Highlights:
- Pole Position: Maria Herrera (1’48.146)
- Race 1 Winner: Maria Herrera
- Fastest Lap: Beatriz Neila – 1’47.685 (Lap 6)
Rider Reactions
Maria Herrera (1st Place – Klint Forward Factory Team):
“Starting the season with a win feels incredible. I knew from the beginning I had to push and create a gap because racing in a group is always tricky. Neila kept me under pressure the whole time, and we both kept breaking lap records, which made it really intense. I saw where she was quicker, especially in the last chicane, and knew I had to protect my line there. This is a strong start, but the conditions tomorrow could be very different—maybe rain—so I’ll stay focused and aim for another podium.”
Beatriz Neila (2nd Place – Ampito Crescent Yamaha):
“That was an amazing race! Honestly, I didn’t expect to be that competitive. Maria and I had a great battle, and I really thought I had her at the end, but touching the green in the last corner cost me. Still, I’m proud of the race I rode. I’ve made real progress since last year, and I know I’m starting from pole tomorrow. If it rains, so be it—we all have to deal with it.”
Sara Sanchez (3rd Place – Terra&Vita GRT Yamaha WorldWCR Team):
“That was tough. The pace at the front was intense, and Avalon surprised me with how fast she was. We had a few issues on the bike that we’ll work on overnight, but I’m happy with third. Tomorrow’s another chance, and whatever the weather does, I’ll give it everything.”
With the first race now in the books, anticipation builds for what promises to be a thrilling Race 2 on Sunday. The fight for the WorldWCR title has begun in earnest—and if Race 1 is anything to go by, fans are in for a spectacular season.
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
