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The first race of the FIM Women’s World Speed ​​Championship brought a thrilling spectacle to the spectators at the Estoril Circuit, where current championship leader Ana Carrasco (Evan Bros Racing Yamaha Team) topped the podium ahead of her rival Maria Herrera (Klint Forward Factory Team) in second and Beatriz Neila (Ampito/Pata Prometeon Yamaha) is third.

FROM LAST TO PODIUM: Herrera surprises in first race

The first coup d’état occurred before the start of the race, when Herrera had a problem with his motorcycle before the start. I had to be pushed into the pit lane where they were able to start the bike, but he started from the back of the grid rather than from second place. In turn, Carrasco took first place after the start, ahead of Nila and Tayla Relf (TAYCO Motorsport) in the first turn.

RED FLAG: Rain ends the race prematurely

However, all eyes were on Herrera, one of the title contenders, who was already in fifth position on the first lap. But her comeback did not stop there, because by the end of the third round she was already third, behind Relf and Carrasco, who were fighting for first place. On the next lap, Herrera passed Relf for second place, chasing Carrasco.

ALL SPANISH CATALOG: Neila completes the runway

Rain started to rain with 5 laps remaining, causing a red flag to be raised, leading to a premature end to the race as two-thirds of the race was completed. To sum it up, Carrasco took the win despite a big effort from Herrera, who overtook her in the first corner. However, it was already too late as the red flag appeared earlier. Rain in the final minutes caused the fall of Relf, ​​Chun Mei Liu (WT Racing Team Taiwan) and Emily Bondi (YART Zelos Black Knights Team). Liu was taken to a medical center where she was declared unfit for the rest of the weekend with a dislocated left clavicular joint.

AT THE PODIUM DOOR: Sanchez, fourth, and Relf impress

Sara Sanchez (511 Terra&Vita Racing Team) narrowly missed out on the podium, finishing fourth ahead of Tayla Relf (TAYCO Motorsport), with whom she had an interesting battle during the race. The Australian managed to get her bike back into the pit lane after crashing in the first turn. Paquita Ruiz (PS Racing Team 46+1) finished sixth, less than a second ahead of Roberta Ponziani (Yamaha Motoxracing WCR Team), seventh.

Mallory Dobbs (Sekhmet Motorcycle Racing Team) finished eighth, Astrid Madrigal (ITALIKA Racing FIMLA) ninth and Adela Urednikova (DafitMotoracing by Smrz) tenth. Andrea Cibaja (Deza – Box 77 Racing Team) finished 12th, followed by Isis Carreno (AD78 FIM Latinoamerica by Team GP3). Sarah Varon (ITALIKA Racing FIMLA) finished 17th.

The top six finishers in WorldWCR Race 1, full results here:

1. Ana Carrasco (Evan Bros Racing Yamaha Team)
2. Maria Herrera (Clint Forward team) +0.082 s.
3. Beatrice Neila (Ampito / Pata Prometeon Yamaha) +0.170 s.
4. Sara Sanchez (511 Terra&Vita Racing Team) +5.379 pp.
5. Tayla Relf (TAYCO Motorsport) +5.458 pp.
6. Paquita Ruiz (PS Racing Team 46+1) +9.150 s.

Fastest lap: Sara Sanchez – 1’54.402s

Enjoy WorldWCR Race 2 on Sunday starting at 12:45 local time (UTC+1) for FREE on Youtube or with WorldSBK VideoPass, now only €9.99!