María Herrera and Paola Ramos engaged in their first duel at the launch of the new Women's World Championship season.
The Women's World Championship (WorldWCR) resumed this weekend at the Portimão circuit, and has already revealed the forces at play. María Herrera He defends his title this year, and seems to be heading towards a duel against Paola Ramos, good that Beatrice Neila or also very close.
Ramos She's competing in her first season but already has a victory to her name. We remember her overwhelming dominance in the final race of last season as a wildcard entry. Highly anticipated this year, she has lived up to expectations, establishing herself as the main rival of Herrera, and this from the very first round.
The runner-up Beatrice Neila However, he hasn't given up yet, just like several other drivers, including Lucie BoudesseulAfter steadily improving throughout last season, the Frenchwoman finished the season with two podium finishes and aiming for a first victory this yearThe grid includes two other French women, Emily Bondi, which is entering its third season, and Line Vieillard, rookie who competed in a wild-card event at Magny-Cours in 2025.
Saturday, Herrera secured the Superpole, his seventh in the category, ahead Ramoswho had led the free practice sessions. Roberta Ponziani completed the first line. Beatriz Neila, the rookie Yvonne Cerpa et Tayla Relph were on the second one, while Boudesseul qualified seventh. Bondi et Old man They were 12th and 15th on the grid.
RACE 1
Like he usually does, María Herrera got off to the best start and easily took the lead into the first corner. Conversely, Paola Ramos missed her chance a bit and ended up fifth, behind Beatrice Neila, Roberta Ponziani et Sara Sanchez. Lucie Boudesseul was sixth. At the start of the second round, Ramos had already regained its initial second place.
However, Herrera had created a large enough gap to shelter herself, and she thus completed a solo race to the finish. Ramos et Neila rode together behind him, themselves isolated from the rest of the peloton.
The chasing group, on the other hand, put up a fierce fight, including Lucie Boudesseul emerged victorious. The Frenchwoman thus took fourth place, just off the podium, while Line Vieillard finished 12th. Emily Bondi went off course four laps from the finish.
Watch Race 1 in its entirety on YouTube :
Race 1 Results
RACE 2
Herrera once again took the lead at the first corner, followed this time by Ramos, who made a successful start, and by NeilaThe three leading women quickly pulled away from their pursuers, who once again engaged in some great battles.
In the fourth round, Isis Carreño encountered a problem with his motorcycle, which cut out in the middle of a turn. Adela Ourednickova couldn't avoid it and hit it. On the next lap, it Boudesseul who made a mistake just as she was taking the lead in the chasing group. All three got up uninjured.
At the start of the final lap, Ramos Doubled Herrerawho was unable to respond. The young Spaniard went on to secure her first victory of the season, while Neila completed the podium. Old man et Bondi finished this Race 2 in 13th and 16th place.
With one victory each, Paola Ramos et María Herrera are tied for first place in the Women's World Championship, ahead Beatrice Neila, Roberta Ponziani et Pakita Ruiz.
Watch Race 2 in its entirety on YouTube :
Race 2 Results
Credit classification and photos: World SBK
