The inaugural FIM Women’s Circuit Racing World Championship season is proving to be a memorable one, with six races and three rounds down and not a great deal to split Maria Herrera (Klint Forward Factory Racing) and Ana Carrasco (Evan Bros. Racing Yamaha Team) at the top of the standings. With four and two wins respectively, seven points is all that separates them in a season of racing that has seen every race decided by less than a second – in the case of the last round at Portimao, both were decided by 0.060s or less.

RACE STORIES: a hint of what could come

Race 1 saw Maria Herrera demonstrate her prowess by leading for the vast majority of the race, retaliating instantly if Sara Sanchez (511 Terra&Vita Racing Team) was to pass her for the lead. Despite this, Sanchez made one last ditch attempt on the run to the line, exiting the final corner strongly but ultimately, not able to pass Herrera for a first win in the Championship.

However, that weakness was highlighted by Carrasco and Sanchez in Race 2 on Sunday as once again, coming out of Turn 15, Herrera wasn’t as strong as her rivals but this time, she was punished. Carrasco got ahead whilst Sanchez was able to come through for P2, with both of them keeping up their 100% record of finishing on the podium. Herrera and Carrasco scored the same points as each other and the gap remains just seven with half of the season already completed, whilst Sanchez is 21 points off the top.

IN THEIR WORDS: “The strategy was clear”

Speaking about their battle on Sunday, both Carrasco and Herrera gave their perspectives, with the #22 of Carrasco stating: “I’m really happy with this victory because after Race 1, I was quite disappointed with all the problems. In the end, my team solved everything for Sunday. From the first start, my team felt really good. The red flag was a big shame but when we restarted, the strategy was the same. The last sector was my best one and when I was behind, I came onto the straight so fast. The strategy was clear: to be second going onto the straight and lead across the line. I

“I’m really happy to win again, we kept the same points gap as when we arrived, we’re close in the Championship and that’s really important. We’ll keep working like that and try to keep the Championship alive until the last race. At Cremona, the target will be to get the lead of the Championship and keep it until the end.”

“I did a perfect race, battled hard and put on a spectacular show on track,” began a deflated Maria Herrera after Race 2. “The straight was the point where they beat me and I’m a little bit angry for this situation but I have to understand this. I’m happy for the team as we’re still leading the Championship and we have to continue in this way. The next track is Cremona which has a long straight; I’m fast in the corners but I have to understand and be focused on where I can improve. I’ll have to reduce weight so that I can win on the straight too!”

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