Ana Carrasco (Evan Bros Racing Yamaha Team) and Maria Herrera (Klint Forward Factory Team) got their title showdown in the FIM Women’s Circuit Racing World Championship off to a dramatic start with just 0.062s separating the pair. Carrasco claimed top spot at the Circuit de Jerez – Angel Nieto but the gap closed during Free Practice as Herrera hunted down her rival to finish less than a tenth away from the #22 as the title-deciding Prometeon Spanish Round got underway.
Carrasco was quickest throughout the session as she set a 1’53.864s to claim top spot but there was little to separate her from title rival Herrera, with 0.062s between the pair during the 25-minute Free Practice session as they prepare for their title showdown. Estoril Race 2 winner Sara Sanchez (511 Terra&Vita Racing Team) was third although 0.598s down on Carrasco’s time, setting a 1’54.462s.
Beatriz Neila (Ampito / Pata Prometeon Yamaha) was a tenth and a half down on Sanchez ahead after the #36 set a 1’54.616s for P4. She was four tenths clear of Pakita Ruiz (PS Racing Team 46+1) in fifth with the session finishing as a Spanish 1-2-3-4-5. The Spanish streak was broken by Roberta Ponziani (Yamaha Motoxracing WCR Team) in sixth, with the #96 two tenths behind Ruiz.
Australia’s Tayla Relph (TAYCO Motorsport) was seventh after posting a 1’55.836s, finishing around half-a-second clear of America’s Mallory Dobbs (Sekhmet Motorcycle Racing Team). Dobbs set a 1’56.277s for P8, finishing ahead of South Africa’s Jessica Howden (Team Trasimeno) and Mexico’s Astrid Madrigal (ITALIKA Racing FIMLA) as the #83 completed the top ten.
The top six from WorldWCR Free Practice, full results here:
1. Ana Carrasco (Evan Bros Racing Yamaha Team) 1’53.684s
2. Maria Herrera (Klint Forward Factory Team) +0.062s
3. Sara Sanchez (511 Terra&Vita Racing Team) +0.598s
4. Beatriz Neila (Ampito / Pata Prometeon Yamaha) +0.752s
5. Pakita Ruiz (PS Racing Team 46+1) +1.132s
6. Roberta Ponziani (Yamaha Motoxracing WCR Team) +1.311s
Watch WorldWCR’s Tissot Superpole session from 13:30 Local Time (UTC+2) for FREE on the WorldWCR YouTube channel!
Source: WorldSBK.com