23 WorldWCR riders have completed their first ever outing together ahead of next month’s inaugural round in Misano
Ana Carrasco of Evan Bros Racing Yamaha Team dominated the FIM Women’s Circuit Racing World Championship test at the Cremona Circuit, concluding on Friday afternoon. Carrasco set the pace with a significant lead over her competitors, posting the only lap time in the 1’41s range. This impressive performance, 7 tenths ahead of her rivals, sets a strong precedent for the Championship’s inaugural season, commencing next month at Misano.
During Day 2, Carrasco vied for the top spot with Roberta Ponziani of Yamaha Motoxracing WCR Team, pushing each other towards faster lap times. Carrasco ultimately broke the 1’41s barrier with a time of 1’41.446s, while Ponziani trailed with a time of 1’42.121s. Sara Sanchez of 511 Terra&Vita Racing Team secured the third position, approximately half a second behind Carrasco.
Notably, Carrasco’s improvement throughout the day saw lap times drop significantly, with a gap of over four seconds. This test marked the first time riders competed together in the WorldWCR, potentially indicating a developing hierarchy despite the unfamiliarity of the circuit with the Yamaha R7.
Other notable performances included Beatriz Neila of Ampito / Pata Prometeon Yamaha, consistently improving to finish fourth, and Adela Ourednickova of DafitMotoracing in fifth place. Tayla Relph of TAYCO Motorsport utilized the final session effectively to claim sixth position.
Latecomer Jessica Howden of Team Trasimeno slipped to seventh place, followed by Mallory Dobbs of Sekhmet Motorcycle Racing Team, who climbed the ranks in the final moments of the test. Lucy Michel of TSL-Racing secured ninth place, while Isis Carreno of AD78 FIM Latinoamerica by Team GP3 completed the top ten.
Further down the order, Pakita Ruiz of PS Racing Team 46+1 finished just outside the top ten, with Nicole Van Aswegen of Andalaft Racing in 12th place. Ran Yochay of 511 Terra&Vita Racing Team, Ornella Ongaro of Yamaha Motoxracing WCR Team, and Chun Mei Liu of WT Racing Team Taiwan rounded up the top 15.
Astrid Madrigal of ITALIKA Racing FIMLA narrowly missed a top-15 spot, with Lena Kemmer of Bertl K. Racing Team trailing behind in 17th place. Luna Hirano of Team Luna finished 18th, followed by Iryna Nadieieva of MPS.RT and Andrea Sibaja of Deza – Box 77 Racing Team in 19th and 20th positions, respectively.
Alyssia Whitmore, Mia Rusthen, and Sara Varon completed the classified riders. Varon’s day ended prematurely, with her best time set in the third session.
The 2024 FIM Women’s Circuit Racing World Championship will kick off with the Pirelli Emilia-Romagna Round at the Misano World Circuit – Marco Simoncelli on June 14th-16th.
2024 WorldWCR Calendar Overview:
- Pirelli Emilia-Romagna Round, MWC “Marco Simoncelli” – June 14th-16th
- Prosecco DOC UK Round, Donington Park – July 12th-14th
- Pirelli Portuguese Round, Autodromo Internacional do Algarve – August 9th-11th
- Hungarian Round, Balaton Park Circuit* – August 23rd-25th
- Acerbis Italian Round, Cremona Circuit* – September 20th-22nd
- Prometeon Spanish Round, Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto – October 18th-20th
*Subject to homologation
The FIM Women’s Circuit Racing World Championship (WorldWCR) is a groundbreaking single-make series designed exclusively for up-and-coming female riders, showcasing the Yamaha R7. With six rounds scheduled for 2024, this championship marks a significant stride towards inclusivity in motorsports. By providing a level playing field for aspiring talents, the WorldWCR stands as a bold initiative aimed at addressing gender disparities in racing.
Debuting in 2024, this championship offers emerging female riders the opportunity to compete alongside their counterparts in the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship. Beyond the racetrack, it opens doors to various benefits, fostering growth and development within the racing community.
As a dedicated platform for women in professional racing, the WorldWCR challenges stereotypes, amplifies representation, and serves as a source of inspiration for future generations of female riders. By celebrating skill and passion, this championship establishes a new frontier where talent shines brightly and traditional barriers are dismantled.
