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DONINGTON DUEL: Herrera takes Race 2 glory from Carrasco, Sanchez third

Sunday, 14 July 2024 12:07 GMT

Another race, another final lap battle at Donington Park but this time with Maria Herrera beating Ana Carrasco

The FIM Women’s Circuit Racing World Championship returned for further action at Donington Park but this time with Maria Herrera (Klint Forward Factory Team) securing a victory, taking her third win in WorldWCR after a tense last lap battle at Donington Park.

It was yet another thrilling race at the Prosecco DOC UK Round, with Herrera taking victory after stealing the lead at the start and battling for first position in a sensation duel. The #6 won by 0.199s in Race 2 from Ana Carrasco (Evan Bros. Racing Yamaha Team), who is now seven-point adrift from the Championship lead. Meanwhile, Sara Sanchez (511 Terra&Vita Racing Team) was able to grab another third-place finish.

THE START: Herrera hits the front

Claiming the holeshot on the run down to Redgate was Herrera, with the #6 aiming for redemption in Race 2 after finishing fourth on Saturday. Carrasco stormed to second at the end of Lap 1 and was soon under pressure from Sanchez. In the opening stages, the fastest lap would change hands multiple times, with Carrasco clawing back Herrera’s one-second advantage.

Carrasco soon hit the front at the end of Lap 6 before Herrera instantly responded on the entry to Turn 11. Meanwhile, polesitter Beatriz Neila (Ampito / Pata Prometeon Yamaha) dropped to third and was in a fierce battle with Sanchez. It was a two-way fight for the final spot on the podium after a crash at Turn 11 involving Yamaha Motoxracing WCR Team’s Ornella Ongaro and Roberta Ponziani put them out of contention.

SHOWDOWN: Herrera vs Carrasco

On the final lap, Herrera continued to lead the way, with the #22 looking for every opportunity to pounce. Carrasco tried an attempt on the entry to Turn 11, running wide and handing Herrera victory after a super ride. Meanwhile, Sanchez was able to fend off Neila at the chequered flag after a brilliant final battle for the podium.

0.354s: Neila misses out on a podium

Finishing fourth was Neila, who narrowly missed out on a podium by 0.354s, ending the weekend strong. The #36 finished ahead of Ran Yochay (511 Terra&Vita Racing Team), who rounded out the important top five places. Tayla Relph (TAYCO Motorsport) completed a great weekend in sixth – finishing both races inside the top 10. TSL-Racing’s Lucy Michel battled from P10 on the grid to seventh after a fantastic ride to finish ahead of Pakita Ruiz (PS Racing Team 46+1) in eighth.

The final positions inside the top 10 went the way of Luna Hirano (Team Luna) in ninth and Adela Ourednickova (DaftMotoracing by Smrz), who after narrowly missing out in Race 1 did finish 10th. However, it would be an early end to the weekend for WT Racing Team Taiwan’s Chun Mei Liu, crashing at Turn 3 on the second lap. There would also be further drama for Mallory Dobbs (Sekhmet Motorcycle Racing Team), who lost the front at the final corner with six laps remaining after a great start to Race 2.

Top six from WorldWCR Race 2, full results here:

1 Maria Herrera (Klint Forward Factory Team)

2. Ana Carrasco (Evan Bros Racing Yamaha Team) +0.199s

3. Sara Sanchez (511 Terra&Vita Racing Team) +12.020s

4. Beatriz Neila (Ampito / Pata Prometeon Yamaha) +12.374s

5. Ran Yochay (511 Terra&Vita Racing Team) +27.033s

6. Tayla Relph (TAYCO Motorsport) +27.315s

Fastest lap: Ana Carrasco (Evan Bros Racing Yamaha Team) – 1’39.209

Championship standings

1 Maria Herrera (Klint Forward Factory Team) 88 points

2. Ana Carrasco (Evan Bros Racing Yamaha Team) 81

3. Sara Sanchez (511 Terra&Vita Racing Team) 58

4. Beatriz Neila (Ampito / Pata Prometeon Yamaha) 57

5. Ran Yochay (511 Terra&Vita Racing Team) 37

6. Roberta Ponziani (Yamaha Motoxracing WCR Team) 35