Championship Picture
The battle at the top of the inaugural FIM Women’s World Championship (WorldWCR) remains razor-thin as the series heads to new ground at Magny-Cours. Maria Herrera (Klint Forward Racing Team) continues to lead the standings, but her margin is slim: just nine points separate her from closest rival Beatriz Neila (Ampito Crescent Yamaha). For two consecutive rounds, the gap between the pair has remained unchanged, setting the stage for a tense showdown in France.
Behind the leading duo, the fight for the final podium spot in the standings is just as compelling. Italian rider Roberta Ponziani, also representing Klint Forward Racing Team, holds third place on 163 points. That leaves her 60 points adrift of Herrera and 51 behind Neila. Breathing down her neck is Sara Sanchez (Terra & Vita GRT Yamaha WorldWCR Team), who trails Ponziani by only a single point. Every position gained or lost could prove decisive in shaping the year-end leaderboard.
Rookie sensation Chloe Jones (GR Motosport) rounds out the top five. The young Briton has shown steady progress throughout her debut campaign, highlighted by a career-best result at the Hungarian round. Her development adds another exciting thread to the series as she continues to adapt to racing at world level.
A New Chapter: Magny-Cours Joins the Calendar
The French circuit of Magny-Cours will welcome WorldWCR riders for the first time this weekend, marking a milestone for the championship. To prepare for this unfamiliar venue, several competitors took part in track days earlier this year. Among those logging laps were Tayla Relph (Full Throttle Racing), Sara Sanchez, Emily Bondi (Zelos Trasimeno), and others keen to gain valuable knowledge of the 4.4km layout.
For some riders, however, Magny-Cours is not completely uncharted territory. French rider Lucie Boudesseul (GMT94 Yamaha) already has experience at the track from her campaigns in the French Championship, giving her a potential advantage heading into her home race.
Spotlight on the French Contenders
Boudesseul leads the home charge in the standings, sitting eighth overall with 60 points. Her best finish so far has been a strong fourth place, and she will be eager to deliver another standout performance in front of the local fans.
Fellow Frenchwoman Ornella Ongaro currently occupies 12th in the points table with 24. However, her participation at Magny-Cours is dependent on medical clearance after being declared unfit at the previous round. Should she return to the grid, she will no doubt be aiming to push higher into the top ten.
Meanwhile, Emily Bondi finds herself 16th with 15 points to her name. Now in her second WorldWCR season, her best career finish has been ninth place — a result she will look to build upon at her home event.
Wildcards Set to Join the Grid
Adding to the excitement for the French round, two wildcard entries have been confirmed. Justine Pedemonte (MDS) and Line Vieillard (FT Racing Academy) will both make their WorldWCR debuts this weekend. For both riders, competing on home soil offers the perfect opportunity to showcase their talent on the world stage.
