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Four rounds done, two to go and the first is where the title race could come to an end: the 2024 FIM Women’s Circuit Racing World Championship hits Estoril and returns to Portugal, although this time just a short distance from the historic town of Cascais and a short hop from Sintra’s jaw-dropping National Palace of Pena. Looking to become royalty of her own sort, Ana Carrasco (Evan Bros. Racing Yamaha Team) has a slim opportunity to be World Champion this weekend but chief title rival Maria Herrera (Klint Forward Factory Racing) isn’t done just yet, with both more than ready for another battle in 2024.

HEAD-TO-HEAD: Carrasco vs Herrera’s next chapter awaits

Nine points is the difference meaning that the title can only be decided in Race 2 on Sunday; that means Carrasco first has to win or be second in Race 1 and hope that Herrera doesn’t finish inside the top six or top 12 respectively. It’s highly unlikely but those are the permutations to take it to Sunday – after Cremona’s drama, anything is possible. Estoril is the track where Carrasco suffered a serious back injury in 2020 during a private test, meaning she’ll have added determination to put those demons to rest. For 28-year-old Herrera, she last raced at Estoril in 2021 as part of the WorldSSP grid but missed the points, meaning both go into the weekend pretty level in terms of race experience at the Portuguese venue. Carrasco took a third win of the year at Cremona when Herrera crashed out and whilst the latter wasn’t too impressed by her rival’s final lap tactics, they’ll be ready to do battle once again.

REST OF THE TOP 5: Sanchez still in mathematical contention

The late race error that cost Herrera a chance at a sixth win of 2024 came from Sara Sanchez (511 Terra&Vita Racing Team), who out-braked herself into Turn 11 and thus took herself and Herrera out. It was a costly mistake from Sanchez who fell to 35 points adrift of Carrasco in the title race, meaning that she needs a lot of luck to go her way for the rest of the year and she’s yet to win a race. However, she’s 21 clear of quadruple European champion Beatriz Neila (Ampito/Pata Prometeon Yamaha). The #36 aims to return to the podium battle after struggling at Cremona, with her sights also set on a top three overall in the Championship. Roberta Ponziani’s (Yamaha Motoxracing WCR Team) home podium last time out was her first of 2024 and put her fifth in the Championship overall and closing down on a top four slot. She’ll be looking to continue momentum at Estoril and try to add to her podium tally.

COMPLETING THE TOP TEN: Ruiz and Relph shine, Madrigal continues to rise through the standings

Finishing every race in the top ten and the last four inside the top six, Mallorcan Pakita Ruiz (PS Racing Team 46+1) has been in good form throughout 2024 and has made big steps at each round. However, she wasn’t able to capitalise on the lead group drama last time out and bag herself a podium; that honour went to Tayla Relph (TAYCO Motorsport), who was very emotional with P3 at Cremona. Her best weekend of the year will be a good base to build from at Estoril, whilst Ran Yochay (511 Terra&Vita Racing Team) hopes to get back inside the top ten after a tricky couple of rounds at Portimao and Cremona. Mexican ace Astrid Madrigal (ITALIKA Racing FIMLA) has been very impressive in recent rounds with four top ten finishes and a best of P7 on two occasions; now, the 24-year-old from Chihuahua has her eyes on the top six. Completing the top ten, Ornella Ongaro (Ongaro Racing Team) will be all action as usual, as she trails Madrigal by a singular point.

FURTHER BACK: big names aiming for a strong penultimate hurrah, Carreno set for return

Chun Mei Liu (WT Racing Team Taiwan) has scored points in all but two races in 2024 and will be seeking a return to the top ten in a race for the first time since Donington Park, whilst Lucy Michel (TSL-Racing) did return to the top ten last time out and hopes to continue that precedent at Estoril. One of just four riders to score points in every race so far, Adela Ourednickova (DafitMotoracing by Smrz) is 13th in the standings and consistently knocking on the door of the top ten, ahead of Emily Bondi (YART Zelos Black Knights Team), who took her season-best of P8 last time out. Isis Carreno (AD78 FIM Latinoamerica by Team GP3) will be back racing this weekend for the first time since Misano after sustaining a foot injury in a testing incident; keep an eye on her as she was in the top six during the first round of 2024. Nicole van Aswegen (Andalaft Racing) continues her recovery after crashing at Portimao, with Lena Kemmer (Bertl K. Racing Team) is closing her down in the standings. Mallory Dobbs (Sekhmet Motorcycle Racing Team) and Luna Hirano (Team Luna) complete the top 20.

Jessica Howden (Team Trasimeno) has been fast in 2024 but hasn’t converted into many points; Estoril will be vital for her to finish the year on a high. After her team took a podium in WorldSSP300 at Aragon, Andrea Sibaja (Deza – Box 77 Racing Team) will hope for a memorable Estoril of her own. Colombia’s Sara Varon (ITALIKA Racing FIMLA) had a luckless Cremona and aims to score points, whilst Iryna Nadieieva (MPS.RT) continues to heal up after breaking her leg on a track day. Jamie Hanks-Elliott (Sekhmet Motorcycle Racing Team) replaces Alyssia Whitmore for Estoril whilst Portuguese fans have a home-hero to cheer on in Rafaela Peixoto (RP27), who’s had podiums in the Portuguese national series.

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