Superpole Recap: WorldWCR 2025 Roars to Life at Assen with Maria Herrera on Pole
The second season of the FIM Women’s Circuit Racing World Championship (WorldWCR) kicked off in style on Friday at the TT Circuit Assen, with an electrifying Superpole session that immediately set the tone for a fiercely competitive year ahead.
Herrera Strikes First with Pole Position
Maria Herrera (Klint Forward Factory Team) wasted no time in reasserting her status as a title contender. The Spanish star, who finished runner-up in last year’s championship, laid down a blistering lap time of 1’48.146 to clinch pole position for Saturday’s opening race. It was a commanding display of precision and pace, and a clear message to the rest of the grid: Herrera is here to win.
“I’m happy because I’ve got my confidence back,” Herrera said after the session. “But there are still things to improve, especially with gearing—this track has long straights where I was losing some time. Still, I feel strong in the braking zones and fast corners. The plan is to try and build a gap early, but I expect a close fight like last year. I’m ready to battle hard.”
Neila and Sanchez Complete the Front Row
Lining up beside Herrera on the front row are two formidable rivals. Beatriz Neila (Ampito Crescent Yamaha) put together a smooth, self-driven qualifying effort to finish just 0.218 seconds off pole with a 1’48.364 lap.
“I only had a few laps here from 2019 when I raced in SSP300,” Neila shared. “So today was all about learning the track and improving every lap. I’m thrilled with P2—it’s a strong start. Tomorrow, I’ll be going all out for the win, and Maria better be ready!”
Sara Sanchez (Terra&Vita GRT Yamaha WorldWCR Team) rounded out the front row, clocking in at 1’49.246. The Spanish rider is eager to remain a regular podium contender this year and is already eyeing up ways to close the gap to Herrera.
“It’s great to be back in WorldWCR. We don’t know this track as well as others, so a little more time would’ve helped,” Sanchez admitted. “Maria’s got a bit of a margin, but I’ll try to latch onto her and fight at the front tomorrow.”
Rising Stars and Rookie Surprises
One of the standout stories of the session came from New Zealand’s Avalon Lewis (Carl Cox Motorsports). Making her WorldWCR debut, Lewis impressed throughout Friday’s running and delivered an exceptional qualifying performance, narrowly missing the front row by less than a tenth of a second. She’ll launch from P4—an incredible start for the young rookie.
Joining her on the second row will be Roberta Ponziani (Klint Forward Factory Team), who finished fifth, and Australia’s Tayla Relph (Full Throttle Racing), who grabbed sixth. The second row is loaded with talent, and all three riders are expected to mix it up in the front group come race day.
Midfield Pack Gathers Momentum
The third row features an eclectic trio representing three nations and plenty of determination. British rider Chloe Jones (GR Motosport), Chile’s Isis Carreno (Italika Racing FIMLA), and Germany’s Lucy Michel (TSL-Racing) were separated by just two-tenths of a second in qualifying. Their tight times speak volumes about the depth of the field this season.
First Time at Assen: A New Chapter for WorldWCR
For the first time, the WorldWCR grid takes to the legendary TT Circuit Assen—a new stage for this rapidly growing series. That unknown factor added an extra twist to Friday’s action, putting everyone on equal footing as they learned the historic layout together.
In Friday’s free practice sessions, the top ten included riders from eight different countries, underscoring the international flavor of the championship. But it was once again Herrera who topped the charts, posting a 1’48.495 lap—the only rider to dip under the 1’49 mark in practice.
Crashes and Close Calls
There were a few minor incidents across the day. Billee Fuller (Carl Cox Motorsports) and Madalena Simoes (FB Racing Team) both experienced harmless falls during practice. Meanwhile, Emily Bondi (ZELOS Trasimeno) suffered a late crash in Superpole that may have cost her a top ten spot. Fortunately, all riders escaped unscathed.
Ready for Race Day
With identical Yamaha R7s across the grid, parity in machinery ensures the racing remains as tight as ever—and Friday’s results reflect exactly that. The top ten riders were separated by less than 1.2 seconds, and with high stakes, a level playing field, and Assen’s fast-flowing layout, Saturday’s race promises fireworks.
The stage is set. The lights are ready. And with the return of WorldWCR, women’s motorcycle racing is once again taking center stage—faster, bolder, and more inspiring than ever.
Superpole Results
1. Maria Herrera (Klint Forward Racing Team) 1’48.146
2. Beatriz Neila (Ampito Crescent Yamaha) +0.218
3. Sara Sanchez (Terra & Vita GRT Yamaha WorldWCR Team) +1.100
4. Avalon Lewis (Carl Cox Motorsports) +1.169
5. Roberta Ponziani (Klint Forward Racing Team) +1.374
6. Tayla Relph (Full Throttle Racing) +2.264
Official WorldWCR Press Release
