The FIM Women’s Circuit Racing World Championship was back on track for an exhilarating Race 1 on Saturday, with Maria Herrera (Klint Forward Factory Team) storming to an impressive victory. It was the Spaniard’s fourth victory in just five races, further stretching out her Championship lead to 16 points at the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve.

0.060s: The battle which went down to the wire

It was a stunning battle to start the racing action at the Pirelli Portuguese Round, with Herrera taking victory. It was a phenomenal end to Race 1, with just 0.060s separating the top two at the line as Sara Sanchez (511 Terra&Vita Racing Team) claimed second place. The #64 had a great final lap after she was able to match the relentless pace of Herrera. Sanchez also took the fastest lap and finished ahead of Ana Carrasco (Evan Bros Racing Yamaha Team), who took the final spot on the podium after another solid ride.

LIGHTS OUT: Four bikes battle for the lead

The battle began at the start as Herrera and Carrasco battled for the lead on the run to Turn 1. However, it was Herrera who would lead after sweeping around the outside of Carrasco in the braking zone. Beatriz Neila (Ampito / Pata Prometeon Yamaha) entered the podium places early on after a poor launch from Sanchez. A four-bike group soon formed with Carrasco and Herrera going head-to-head once again.

Positions were changing at every opportunity with Neila soon entering P1 for the first time, as Carrasco was pushed back to fourth. Slipstream proved to be vital as Herrera tried to stretch a gap, with the top four remaining to look inseparable. However, as the laps ticked down the #6 continued to push, stretching out a small advantage with only Sanchez able to challenge heading onto the final lap.

LAST LAP: Herrera holds off Sanchez

Sanchez was in chase of the #6, glued onto the back wheel of Herrera throughout the final lap. The #64 looked for an opportunity, trying to get the perfect drive onto the straight for a slipstream to the line. However, Herrera was able to hold on in a thrilling finish to the opening race of the weekend.

NEILA MISSES OUT: Battles throughout the top 10

Neila missed out on a podium by just 0.009s, finishing in fourth position after a brilliant Race 1. The Spanish star will now set her sights on Race 2 after finishing ahead of Pakita Ruiz (PS Racing Team 46+1), who rounded out the top five. Ruiz had her own battle in Race 1, battling with Roberta Ponziani (Yamaha Motoxracing WCR Team), with the Italian taking sixth ahead of Jessica Howden (Team Trasimeno). The #52 had to start from P8 on the grid in Race 1 but would claim seventh in front of Tayla Relph (TAYCO Motorsport). Meanwhile, the final spots inside the top 10 went the way of Nicole van Aswegen (Andalaf Racing) and Astrid Madrigal (TALIKA Racing FIMLA).

There was drama throughout with Jamie Hanks-Elliot (Sekhmet Motorcycle Racing Team) crashing out of her debut WorldWCR race at Turn 15. Lena Kemmer (Bertl K. Racing Team) would also crash out with seven laps remaining before Emily Bondi (YART Zelos Black Knights Team) lost the front at Turn 3, making contact with Mallory Dobbs (Sekhmet Motorcycle Racing Team) and bringing an early end to their race with four laps to go.

The top six from WorldWCR Race 1, full results here:

1. Maria Herrera (Klint Forward Factory Team)

2. Sara Sanchez (511 Terra&Vita Racing Team) +0.060s

3. Ana Carrasco (Evan Bros. Racing Yamaha Team) +2.253s

4. Beatriz Neila (Ampito / Pata Prometeon Yamaha) +2.262s

5. Pakita Ruiz (PS Racing Team 46+1) +26.707s

6. Roberta Ponziani (Yamaha Motoxracing WCR Team) +26.919s

Make sure you don’t miss WorldWCR Race 2 on Sunday from Portimao at 13:45 Local Time (UTC +1) using the WorldWCR YouTube and WorldSBK VideoPass!