The FIM Women’s Circuit Racing World Championship was back in action for Race 1 at the Prosecco DOC UK Round and it was yet another thrilling finale, with Ana Carrasco (Evan Bros. Racing Yamaha Team) storming to take a phenomenal victory at Donington Park.

WorldWCR treated the British crowd to a sensational race with a five-bike group battling for victory, with the win being decided on the final lap. Carrasco did storm to victory, closing the Championship gap to just two points. Taking second place after an impressive result was Beatriz Neila (Ampito / Pata Prometeon Yamaha), who also set the fastest lap of Race 1. The final spot on the podium went the way of Sara Sanchez (511 Terra&Vita Racing Team) after a fantastic final lap.

BATTLE BEGINS: The lead changed hands on Lap 1

Once the lights went out it was Maria Herrera (Klint Forward Factory Team), who led the field after a phenomenal launch off the line. The #6 did not hold on to the lead for long, with Carrasco launching her attack on Lap 1 before Herrera battled back – beginning an intense duel. Early on the front four began to break away with Herrera leading from Carrasco, Sanchez and Neila.

Roberta Ponziani (Yamaha Motoxracing WCR Team) soon caught the front group, setting the fastest lap as Herrera and Carrasco continued to battle. Neila soon entered the podium places, dropping Sanchez to P4 before attacking Herrera for second as all attention soon turned to the final lap.

LAST LAP: Sanchez attacks late

Heading into an unpredictable last lap it was Carrasco who led from the Neila, who had just set the fastest lap of the race – aiming to take her first victory. Sanchez pulled off an unbelievable double overtake to enter P2, dropping Herrera to fourth. Exiting the final corner, it was the #22 who stormed to victory from Neila with Sanchez crossing the line in third.

MISSING OUT: Herrera finishes fourth

Herrera finished in fourth, missing out on victory by less than a second and setting sights on returning to the podium on Sunday. Ponziani rounded out the top five after showing a strong pace throughout, finishing ahead of Ran Yochay (511 Terra&Vita Racing Team), who claimed P6. The #10 was less than half a second ahead of Ornella Ongaro (Yamaha Motoxracing WCR Team), who claimed seventh, while PS Racing Team 46+1’s Pakita Ruiz rounded out the top eight.

The final spots inside the top 10 went the way of Tayla Relph (TAYCO Motorsport) and Chun Mei Liu (WT Racing Team Taiwan). Meanwhile, it was a tough Race 1 for Emily Bondi (YART Zelos Black Knights Team), who lost the front at the final corner with eight laps remaining. Alyssia Whitmore (Sekhmet Motorcycle Racing Team) crashed with six laps to go, ending hopes of a good result at home. Things would soon go from bad to worse for the Sekhmet Motorcycle Racing Team on the final lap, with Mallory Dobbs crashing at Goddards after contact with the #16. Lucy Michel (TSL-Racing) would receive a three-second penalty for the incident – dropping to P15 in the results.

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

1. Ana Carrasco (Evan Bros. Racing Yamaha Team)

2. Beatriz Neila (Ampito / Pata Prometeon Yamaha) +0.511s

3. Sara Sanchez (511 Terra&Vita Racing Team) +0.726s

4. Maria Herrera (Klint Forward Factory Team) +0.890s

5. Roberta Ponziani (Yamaha Motoxracing WCR Team) +3.476s

6. Ran Yochay (511 Terra&Vita Racing Team) +23.621s

Fastest Lap: Beatriz Neila, 1'39.593s

Make sure you don’t miss WorldWCR Race 2 on Sunday from Donington Park at 12:20 Local Time (UTC+1) using the WorldWCR YouTube and WorldSBK VideoPass!