It’s been a phenomenal first two rounds for the inaugural FIM Women’s Circuit Racing World Championship with four races being decided by less than a second at the chequered flag. Misano and Donington Park have been the stages so far but marking the halfway point of the season is the Autodrom Internacional do Algarve. Can someone else add their name to the winners’ list this weekend?
FOUR-WAY FIGHT: Herrera vs Carrasco vs Sanchez vs Neila – who will it be this time?
On top in the title race, Maria Herrera (Klint Forward Racing Team) has won three of four races but that doesn’t paint the full picture; having to fight her way through in last lap battles, she carries a slender seven-point advantage into the third round over Ana Carrasco (Evan Bros. Racing Yamaha Team). The #22 took a first win at Donington Park last time out and having won in WorldSSP300 here, we could be set for the big rivals to go head-to-head in Portugal. Third overall and like Carrasco, on the podium in every race, Sara Sanchez (511 Terra&Vita Racing Team). The #64 battled hard at Misano and Donington and with previous experience at Portimao, she’ll be right there again. There’s been a group of four that have the edge on the opposition and completing it is Beatriz Neila (Ampito/Pata Prometeon Yamaha). A first podium last time out, can the four-time European champion grab victory this weekend?
CLOSING THEM DOWN: Yochay leads the charge to the fantastic four
Bridging the gap, Ran Yochay (511 Terra&Vita Racing Team) after achieving a first top five of 2024 at Donington Park in Race 2, taking her into the top five in the standings. She’s 20 points behind Neila and two ahead of Roberta Ponziani (Yamaha Motoxracing WCR Team), who had her first DNF during the last race after a collision with teammate Ornella Ongaro – both were OK and in the battle at the front. Taking advantage of both missing points, Pakita Ruiz (PS Racing Team 46+1), seventh and aiming to continue her top ten run. Lucy Michel (TSL-Racing) took her career best finish with seventh at Donington and will have her sights firmly set on the top six. Tayla Relph (TAYCO Motorsport) was in the top six at Donington. She’s tested at Portimao; expect her to be fast at the rollercoaster. Completing the top ten, Isis Carreño (AD78 FIM Latinoamerica by Team GP3), won’t be present as she continues her recovery from a testing injury.
CHASING TOP 10 RESULTS: Ongaro, Ourednickova and Liu set for battle
With Ongaro in 11th, Adela Ourednickova (Dafit Motoracing by Smrz) is 12th and always improving, having taken a first top ten in the UK. Chun Mei Liu (WT Racing Team Taiwan) is next up and needs to be declared fit after her Race 2 Donington fall; Lena Kemmer (Bertl K. Racing Team) chases a first top ten whilst Japan’s Luna Hirano (Team Luna) made a big step in the UK for a first top ten in P9. Knocking on the door of the top ten, South Africa’s Nicole van Aswegen (Andalaft Racing), Mexico’s Astrid Madrigal (ITALIKA Racing FIMLA) and France’s Emily Bondi (YART Zelos Black Knights Team) seek personal bests. Mallory Dobbs (Sekhmet Motorcycle Racing Team) aims for Portimao points after an unlucky Donington. Points are getting closer for Andrea Sibaja (Daza – Box 77 Racing Team) and whilst she’s double dutying this round with the WorldSSP300 side of her team, a top 15 is the target.
HOUSEKEEPING: Varon set to debut, Howden and Nadieieva return whilst Whitmore is replaced
With much anticipation, Colombian rider Sara Varon (ITALIKA Racing FIMLA) makes a long-awaited World Championship debut after a pre-season injury. She’s been replaced by Dominican rider Krystal Silfa in the first two rounds, with her able to score the first ever World Championship points in any Championship for the Dominican Republic. Jessica Howden (Team Trasimeno) will be back in action after her Misano crash, pending a final Thursday medical approval trackside. Missing Donington Park through no fault of her own, Ukraine’s Iryna Nadieieva (MPS.RT) is back on track whilst out of Portimao after her Donington Park crash, Alyssia Whitmore (Sekhmet Motorcycle Racing Team) is replaced by Jamie Hanks-Elliott. For a latest update regarding Mia Rushten (Rushten Racing), click here.
JOIN THE COMMUNITY: be part of the history-making season and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, X and YouTube – where the races are LIVE AND FREE ALL YEAR!
Source: WorldSBK.com