The FIM Women’s Circuit Racing World Championship was in action for the second time on Friday with the Portuguese Superpole. The riders opted for the wet tyre option from the outset, however with a drying track experienced on their outing lap, the majority of the field returned to the pits to exchange for slick tyres and improve their lap times.

CHAMPIONSHIP TENSION: Carrasco v Herrera

Despite a dominant performance from María Herrera (Klint Forward Factory Team) throughout, it was 27-year-old Ana Carrasco (Evan Bros Racing Yamaha Team) who posted the fastest time of the session with 1’51.706 at the Circuito Estoril, beating her close rival by 0.359 seconds, with Beatriz Neila (Ampito / Pata Prometeon Yamaha) rounding off the front grid ahead of Saturday’s Race 1.

RELPH REPEAT? Can Australian replicate Cremona podium?

With the wet sections of the track disappearing, lap times began to fall throughout the Superpole session, providing plenty of action for the Estoril spectators. Spain’s Sara Sanchez (511 Terra&Vita Racing Team) was determined to secure a top three result, however her best attempt secured her fourth position ahead of Australian Taylor Relph (TAYCO Motorsport), who is eager to repeat her success in Cremona following her maiden podium there. Relph will start from fifth in the first race of the weekend ahead of Roberta Ponziani (Yamaha Motoxracing WCR Team) who completes the second row.

HOWDEN P10: Penultimate race weekend

The twenty minute Superpole session witnessed an impressive performance from Mexican rider Astrid Madrigal (ITALIKA Racing FIMLA) who rode her Yamaha bike around the circuit in the seventh fastest time. #46 Pakita Ruiz (PS Racing Team 46+1) and America’s Mallory Dobbs (Sekhmet Motorcycle Racing Team) secured eighth and ninth, ahead of #52 rider Jessica Howden (Team Trasimeno) who completed the top 10 of the afternoon’s Superpole Session. Saturday’s Race 1 is lining up to be a hotly contested battle as the two Championship rivals Carrasco and Herrera aim for glory in Portugal.

The top six from WorldWCR Superpole, full results here:

1. Ana Carrasco (Evan Bros Racing Yamaha Team) 1’51.706s
2. María Herrera (Klint Forward Factory Team) +0.359s
3. Beatriz Neila (Ampito / Pata Prometeon Yamaha) +1.907s
4. Sara Sánchez (511 Terra&Vita Racing Team) +1.918s
5. Tayla Relph (TAYCO Motorsport) +2.232s
6. Roberta Ponziani (Yamaha Motoxracing WCR Team) +2.291s

Don’t miss WorldWCR Race 1 on Saturday at 12:45 Local Time (UTC+1) for FREE on the WorldWCR YouTube channel!