The penultimate round of the Women's World Championship was explosive with María Herrera receiving two penalties.
A month later the Misano roundThe Women's World Championship returned this weekend to Donington for the penultimate round of the season. María Herrera had largely dominated on the Italian circuit, this time the overall leader made two costly mistakes.
The weekend had started well for the Spaniard, who secured Superpole ahead of Beatrice Neila et Paola RamosOn the French side, Lucie Boudesseul was still absent after her crash during her FSBK race at Nogaro at the end of May, from which she emerged with two fractured vertebrae, as well as two fractures in her foot. While awaiting her return, hoped for at the final round in Jerez in October, it is Justine Pedemonte who will ensure his replacement.
The Frenchwoman qualified 15th, just behind Emily Bondi et Line VieillardNote thatOrnella Ongaro, who had participated in the championship for the past two years, was present as a wild-card and qualified 23rd.
RACE 1
When the lights go out, María Herrera maintained his first place in the first turn, ahead Beatrice Neila et Paola Ramos. Quickly, Neila launched an attack and took the lead, but then, a dramatic turn of events: Herrera She retaliated and knocked her down while attempting to overtake her again. The runner-up in the championship thus ended up on the ground, and the incident was immediately reported as being under investigation.
Herrera was ultimately found responsible for "irresponsible driving" and received a double long lap penalty. Thanks to a lead that had grown to more than five seconds, she was able to serve her penalty while maintaining her lead in the race.
Behind them, a fierce battle raged for the podium, and these are Paola Ramos et Muklada Sarapuech who had the last word, while Roberta Ponziani et Sara Sanchez completed the top 5. Emily Bondi achieved a top 10 finish, while Justine Pedemonte, Line Vieillard et Ornella Ongaro finished 11th, 13th and 21st respectively.
Watch Race 1 in its entirety on YouTube :
Race 1 Results
RACE 2
The tension was at its peak at the start of the race: if Herrera scored one more point than NeilaShe could have won the title. The championship leader took the lead into the first corner, ahead of Ramos et Sarapuech. Neila, who started tenth after his crash the day before, was already seventh at the end of the first lap.
Ramos Doubled Herrera in the second lap and took the lead in the race, but Herrera quickly regained the lead and began to widen the gap. In three laps, Neila returned to the duo of pursuers, composed of Ramos and of Ponziani, and overtook the Italian with six laps to go.
Now virtually on the podium, she continued her climb, in the slipstream of RamosThe two women closed the gap on Herrera in the penultimate round before launching the battle in the final round. Ramos attempted an attack but Herrera touched her by replying. As with Neila The day before, his action caused his opponent to fall.
Herrera et Neila then fought for victory and for the title, and Herrera managed to maintain her first position until the checkered flag. Believing herself crowned champion, she celebrated her title at the edge of the track with some of her team, while Neila returned to her booth in tears.
Finally, a six-second penalty was imposed on Herrera, making her finish second in the race and thus bringing her title back to Jerez. Pedemonte finished in the top 10, ahead Old manwho finished 11th. Bondi et Ongaro They, for their part, took 19th and 21st places in the ranking.
Watch Race 2 in its entirety on YouTube :
Race 2 Results
Join us from October 16th to 18th in Jerez, Spain, for the final round of the Women's World Championship, which will see María Herrera ou Beatrice Neila to be sacred.
Beatriz Neila
Credit rankings and photos: World SBK
