Superpole Delivers Heat and Heroics
Cremona Circuit turned up the temperature—literally and figuratively—on Friday as the FIM Women’s Circuit Racing Championship (WorldWCR) kicked off with a searing Superpole session under 50°C track temperatures. Rising to the challenge was Maria Herrera of the Klint Forward Factory Team, who delivered a sensational lap of 1’40.468 to clinch pole position and set a brand-new track record.
“I’m really happy to have secured pole position like this,” Herrera said after the session. “I felt good from the very beginning. I pushed straight away because I knew the heat would be a factor. My first fast lap got cancelled due to a yellow flag, but I didn’t let that throw me off. I found the same rhythm I had during the April test, so that definitely helped. I expect a tough race—Roberta and Astrid are fast, and Beatriz can always be a threat. My strategy? Push hard from the start and try to open a gap.”
Ponziani Pushes Herrera to the Limit
Roberta Ponziani, also riding for Klint Forward Factory, came within a whisker of pole, just 0.127 seconds behind her teammate. After strong showings in practice, the experienced Italian locked in second place on the grid, setting herself up for a crucial front-row start on Saturday.
“Qualifying went well,” Ponziani said. “It’s a pity not to take pole, but we’re right there. We already found a solid base setup during testing, so we didn’t need to make too many changes today. The bike feels good, and the team is working great. This circuit might not be right next to my hometown, but it feels like home. I stood on the podium here last year—I’d love to do that again.”
Breakthrough Performance for Madrigal
Astrid Madrigal of the Pons Italika Racing FIMLA team made headlines with a brilliant third-place finish in Superpole—her best qualifying performance to date. After a strong fourth-place showing in practice, the Mexican rider delivered an assured lap, just 0.176 seconds off Herrera’s benchmark.
“Wow, I’m really happy,” Madrigal beamed. “I knew I could be up there, and I ran a really smart qualifying session. I managed to stick with Maria and Roberta, which helped me stay focused and fast. I think I’ve got the rhythm to fight in the race. Of course, a podium would be amazing, but even a top-five finish would be a big result for me.”
Row Two Packed with Familiar Faces
Beatriz Neila (Ampito Crescent Yamaha) and Sara Sanchez (Terra&Vita GRT Yamaha WorldWCR Team) rounded out the top five. Neila’s pace was consistent all day, while Sanchez shook off a harmless late-session crash to remain competitive. New Zealand’s Avalon Lewis (Carl Cox Motorsports) secured sixth, an impressive result for the WorldWCR rookie in her debut season.
Despite limited data from last year, the April test session gave teams valuable insights into Cremona’s tight and technical layout—though few expected the massive jump in track temperatures for race weekend.
Strong Midfield Sets Stage for Saturday Battles
The third row of the grid is loaded with potential disruptors. Chloe Jones (GR Motosport) from the UK, Australian Tayla Relph (Full Throttle Racing), and Spain’s Pakita Ruiz (PR46+1 Racing Team) have all shown solid form this season, and their qualifying performance reinforces the depth of the field heading into Round 4.
Wildcard Dal Zotto Makes Promising Debut
Making her first appearance of the 2025 season, Italian wildcard Denise Dal Zotto (Affinity Sports Academy Rokit Rookies) made an impression by qualifying 17th. Competing in front of a home crowd, the local rider showed pace and poise in difficult conditions.
Morning Practice: Herrera Sets the Tone
Earlier in the day, free practice took place in much cooler conditions. Herrera again led the field, finishing just ahead of Neila and Ponziani. The three riders looked particularly comfortable, giving early signs of what was to come in qualifying.
Crashes Mar Afternoon for Team Trasimeno
It wasn’t smooth sailing for everyone. Team Trasimeno’s Jessica Howden and Sonia Lloyd both suffered crashes during Superpole. Fortunately, both riders walked away unscathed, but the incidents hampered their grid positions and could make Saturday’s race a tougher climb through the field.
Final Qualifying Standings (Top 3)
- P1 | Maria Herrera | Klint Forward Factory Team | 1’40.468
- P2 | Roberta Ponziani | Klint Forward Factory Team | 1’40.595
- P3 | Astrid Madrigal | Pons Italika Racing FIMLA | 1’40.644
With the front row separated by just 0.176 seconds, and championship contenders scattered across the grid, Saturday’s race at Cremona is shaping up to be a fiery showdown—just as intense as the Italian sun beating down on the circuit.
Official WorldWCR Press Release
