The FIM Women’s Circuit Racing World Championship descended on the Cremona Circuit to start the second half of the season and mixed conditions greeted the field for Free Practice at the Acerbis Italian Round. Maria Herrera (Klint Forward Factory Team) claimed first place, more than eighth tenths clear of her rivals, while America’s Mallory Dobbs (Sekhmet Motorcycle Racing Team) and South Africa’s Jessica Howden (Team Trasimeno) claimed second and third.

With a wet practice declared, the riders were tentative while out on their exploratory laps at a circuit that held the first WorldWCR test back in May. Times did rapidly improve throughout the 25-minute session as riders adjusted to the conditions in Italy. With sub-optimal conditions, Herrera claimed P1 by more than eight tenths ahead of Dobbs. Herrera posted a 1’52.651s to claim top spot, with Dobbs 0.819s back from the Championship leader. Third place belonged to South Africa’s Howden who set a 1’53.641s despite a crash at Turn 10 in the opening stages of Free Practice. She brought her Yamaha R7 into the pits to be checked over before re-joining the session and claiming third.

Ana Carrasco (Evan Bros Racing Yamaha Team) was the fourth fastest rider as she set a 1’.53.841s, 1.190s down on Herrera, but she was three tenths clear of Adela Ourednickova (DafitMotoracing) in fifth with the Czech rider setting a 1’54.128s. Emily Bondi (YART Zelos Black Knights Team) completed the top six, around eight tenths down on the #19 ahead, while Chun Mei Liu (WT Racing Team Taiwan) was seventh.

Home hero Roberta Ponziani (Yamaha Motoxracing WCR Team) flew the flag for Italy in Free Practice as she took eighth place with a 1’55.405s. Luna Hirano (Team Luna) was ninth with Israel’s Ran Yochay (511 Terra&Vita Racing Team) completing the top ten. Elsewhere, Beatriz Neila (Ampito / Pata Prometeon Yamaha) and Sara Sanchez (511 Terra&Vita Racing Team) – currently fourth and third in the Championship standings – were 16^th and 17^th respectively.

The top six from WorldWCR FP, full results here:

1. Maria Herrera (Klint Forward Factory Team) 1’52.651s

2. Mallory Dobbs (Sekhmet Motorcycle Racing Team) +0.819s

3. Jessica Howden (Team Trasimeno) +0.990s

4. Ana Carrasco (Evan Bros. Racing Yamaha Team) +1.190s

5. Adela Ourednickova (DafitMotoracing) +1.477s

6. Emily Bondi (YART Zelos Black Knights Team) +2.260s

Watch WorldWCR Superpole LIVE and UNINTERRUPTED at 14:10 Local Time (UTC+2) on the WorldWCR YouTube channel!