The inaugural FIM WorldWCR Championship, being no different from any of the World Superbikes series, saw plenty of drama in its opening round at Misano.
Qualifying took place on Friday afternoon which saw 26 riders come together on track for the first time at Misano whereby the first pole in the history of the series was claimed by late entry to the championship, Maria Herrera of Klint Forward Racing Team. Sarah Sanchez of the 511 Terra&Vita Racing secured P2 a mere 0.051 seconds behind Herrera with Anna Carrasco of Evans Bro Racing Yamaha completing the top 3. It was later announced that Sanchez was under investigation from race control for slow riding and subsequently penalised with a three place grid drop for Race 1 on Saturday which promoted Carrasco to P3 and moving Italian rider Roberta Ponziani, Yamaha Motoxracing, to a front row start.
Further down the grid, Sekhmet International Racing Team rider, Mallory Dobbs was also under the long lap penalty rule for race 1 after a decision by race control for actions conducted during free practice earlier on Friday morning.
Maria Herrera was fastest off the line taking the holeshot ahead of Carrasco but no sooner had the lights gone out there was already drama ensuing with riders Ornella Ongaro, Yamaha Motoxracing and Taylor Relph, Tayco Motorsport colliding at turn 2 together with Beatrice Barbera of Team GP3, who was wild carding for this round, crashing at turn 4. A fantastic battle was building between Herrera and Carrasco but on lap 6 the race was red flagged for a crash involving Mia Rusthen as she approached the last corner.
The race was eventually restarted after a considerable delay and rescheduled with laps reduced from the original 12 to a 5 lap dash, however it was immediately subjected to another red flag on the first lap after Jessica Howden fell from her machine, which sent all the riders once again back to pit lane.
Third time lucky perhaps with a quick start procedure to get the inaugural race underway with Herrera once again taking the holeshot for the 3rd time and a 5 lap battle with Carrasco right to the chequered flag, with Herrara making a last minute move on Carrasco taking back the position after a lap 4 move from Carrasco, thus making history as the first winner of the WorldWCR Championship. Carrasco took second place only 0.067 adrift from Herrara and Sanchez completing the podium positions.
There were further fallers within the grid with Ukrainian rider Irina Nadieieva and American Mallory Dobbs both crashing during the race.
With all the tension and anxiety on the lead up to the start of the season out the way and the turbulence of the race 1 incidents we look to race 2 tomorrow to showcase the riders talents on the world stage with Carrasco already stating that in a full lap race she feels she will be best placed to challenge Herrera for the win.
Words by Kerrie McFadden
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