The FIM Women’s Circuit Racing World Championship returned for further spectacular action in Race 2 at the Pirelli Portuguese Round. Ana Carrasco (Evan Bros Racing Yamaha Team) fought back to win a reduced Race 2 after a stunning battle which resulted in the closest finish so far as WorldWCR delivers more action at the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve.
0:120s: Photo finish to Race 2
Carrasco’s key moment came on the final lap after a brilliant drive out of the final corner as the Spaniard took the win from Sara Sanchez (511 Terra&Vita Racing Team), who claimed second – following in Carrasco’s slipstream. The #64 set the fastest lap but missed out on the victory, taking a further 20 points after finishing ahead of polesitter Maria Herrera (Klint Forward Factory Team) at the line. Just 0.120s separated the top three as WorldWCR continues to be as unpredictable as ever.
RED FLAG: Herrera leads the restart
It was a perfect launch off the line from Carrasco, with the #22 claiming the holeshot on the run to Turn 1 before polesitter Herrera made her move to take the lead for the first time at Turn 3. However, the red flag would come out after a crash at Turn 3 involving Nicole van Aswegen (Andalaf Racing) and Tayla Relph (TAYCO Motorsport), with both riders being taken to the medical centre for a check-up. Relph was later found to have a left lower leg injury, with no detected fractures.
Race 2 was soon restarted for a seven-lap race with the riders starting in their original grid positions. Herrera claimed the holeshot on the restart after a quick launch off the line, allowing the #6 to lead Carrasco and Beatriz Neila (Ampito / Pata Prometeon Yamaha) on the opening lap. The front group began to battle, treating the Portuguese fans to overtakes at every opportunity, with Sanchez soon entering the fight. It was the battle of the late brakers, with Carrasco leading Herrera with just two laps remaining as the podium places continued to change.
FINAL DASH: Carrasco leaves it late
Entering the final lap Carrasco led Herrera, with the #6 pulling off a spectacular move at Turn 4 before Carrasco tried to respond instantly. It all came down to the final sector, with Carrasco looking for any opportunity as she lined up the perfect drive out of the final corner. Using the slipstream, Carrasco stormed to take victory in Race 1 with Sanchez following behind in second as Herrera dropped to third.
TOP 10: Dobbs battles to ninth
Missing out on a podium finish was Neila, who took fourth place after finishing a further 1.705s adrift from P3. However, it was still a strong result after finishing ahead of Roberta Ponziani (Yamaha Motoxracing WCR Team), who rounded out the top five at Portimao. Meanwhile, Pakita Ruiz (PS Racing Team 46+1) was sixth, in front of Astrid Madrigal (ITALIKA Racing FIMLA) in seventh. The #83 was involved in an intense battle, finishing just 0.229s ahead of Ornella Ongaro (Yamaha Motoxracing WCR Team) in P8. Meanwhile, Mallory Dobbs (Sekhmet Motorcycle Racing Team) took an impressive ninth after starting from 15th on the grid, beating Emily Bondi (YART Zelos Black Knights Team) to the line.
Top six from WorldWCR Race 2, full results here:
1 Ana Carrasco (Evan Bros Racing Yamaha Team)
2. Sara Sanchez (511 Terra&Vita Racing Team) +0.025s
3. Maria Herrera (Klint Forward Factory Team) +0.120s
4. Beatriz Neila (Ampito / Pata Prometeon Yamaha) +1.825s
5. Roberta Ponziani (Yamaha Motoxracing WCR Team) +15.837s
6. Pakita Ruiz (PS Racing Team 46+1) +19.082s
Fastest lap: Sara Sanchez – 1’53.9292s
Championship standings
1 Maria Herrera (Klint Forward Factory Team) 129 points
2. Ana Carrasco (Evan Bros Racing Yamaha Team) 122
3. Sara Sanchez (511 Terra&Vita Racing Team) 108
4. Beatriz Neila (Ampito / Pata Prometeon Yamaha) 83
5. Roberta Ponziani (Yamaha Motoxracing WCR Team) 56
6. Pakita Ruiz (PS Racing Team 46+1) 50
Source: WorldSBK.com