WorldWCR: Race 2 Highlights: A steadfast Beatriz Neila (Ampito Crescent Yamaha) achieved exactly what she set out to do today, getting away well from pole and snatching the Race 2 win despite some very stiff competition.
Competition that came in the shape of Race 1 winner Maria Herrera (Klint Forward Racing Team), local rider Chloe Jones (GR Motosport) and fellow Spaniard Sara Sanchez (Terra&Vita GRT Yamaha WorldWCR Team), all of whom led the race at one point or another.
At the end of Sunday’s 12-lap thriller, it was Neila who made the difference, crossing the line just three tenths ahead of fellow Spaniard Sanchez, who ran a gutsy race to score her best result of the season to date.
Championship leader Herrera rounded out the podium, banking more important championship points in the process.
Competing on home turf, GR Motosport’s Chloe Jones made the most of her front row start, battling as part of the top three and in the mix for the win until the very last lap, when a crash unfortunately denied her a likely podium finish. A courageous Jones was nevertheless able to rejoin the race and place eleventh.
Catching the leading quartet in the final stages, Lucie Boudesseul (GMT94-YAMAHA) looked at ease around the British track. The French rider missed out on the podium by just a fraction of a second but still scored her best WorldWCR result so far by finishing fourth.
Forced to start from the back of the grid on Saturday, Roberta Ponziani (Klint Forward Racing Team) was keen to demonstrate her full potential today. Sixth on the grid, the Italian worked hard to secure a well-deserved fifth place finish.
Caught up in their own battle a little way behind the top five finishers, Pakita Ruiz (PR46+1 Racing Team), Tayla Relph (Full Throttle Racing), Ornella Ongaro (Ornella Ongaro Racing Team), Natalia Rivera (Terra & Vita GRT Yamaha WorldWCR Team) and (Astrid Madrigal Pons Italika Racing FIMLA) rounded out the top ten.
Boudesseul, Ruiz and Ongaro enjoyed their best round of the season so far, netting 24, 20 and 16 points respectively over the course of the weekend.
A mid-race crash at turn 12 unfortunately denied Avalon Lewis (Carl Cox Motorsports) important championship points. Team Trasimeno’s Jessica Howden suffered the same fate, crashed in the final stages at turn 1.
Championship Standings:
- Holding 131 points as the UK Round draws to a close, Herrera retains the championship lead
- Thanks to her Race 2 win, Neila now lies just 9 points behind, with a total of 122.
- Sanchez (89) and Ponziani (86) place third and fourth in the standings, separated by just three points.
Key Points:
Race 1 winner: Maria Herrera (Klint Forward Racing Team)
Race 2 winner: Beatriz Neila (Ampito Crescent Yamaha)
Race fastest lap: Beatriz Neila – 1’39.270 (Race 2)
P1 | Beatriz Neila | Ampito Crescent Yamaha
“I’m so happy; this victory means a lot to me. I’ve worked really hard in recent weeks to prepare and the results here are extra motivation to continue. The race was tough, as there was a big group of us fighting. We were also caught by some other riders. I started to enjoy myself with about four laps to go, while the first part of the race was more challenging. Two laps from the end, I was able to build a tiny gap, setting the best lap and clinching the win. The championship’s closer than ever now, so I’ll need to work hard ahead of the next rounds. Balaton could be good for us, as I like the chicanes; we’ll see.”
P2 | Sara Sanchez | Terra&Vita GRT Yamaha WorldWCR Team
“I’m happy to be back on the podium after a more challenging Cremona round. It was a fun race and felt good to be battling at the front again. I want to thank my team for all their hard work, and we’ll try again at Balaton in a couple of weeks’ time.”
P3 | Maria Herrera | Klint Forward Racing Team
“I made a strong start, moving straight into first at the first corner. I tried to push but soon realised there was a group of five of us, so in the end I had to manage the situation the best I could. I again had an issue with the brakes, so it wasn’t easy, and the others were so fast. I’m not so happy with the actual result, but I’m pleased we retain the championship lead. We’ll now prepare for Balaton, where I wasn’t able to test while other riders did. So, we’ll watch some videos and are prepared to work hard during the next round and beyond.”
Race 2 Results
1. Beatriz Neila (Ampito Crescent Yamaha)
2. Sara Sanchez (Terra & Vita GRT Yamaha WorldWCR Team) +0.304s
3. Maria Herrera (Klint Forward Racing Team) +1.006s
4. Lucie Boudesseul (GMT94-YAMAHA) +1.192s
5. Roberta Ponziani (Klint Forward Racing Team) +1.326s
6. Pakita Ruiz (PR46+1 Racing Team) +15.446s
Fastest lap: Beatriz Neila – 1’39.270s
Championship Standings
1. Maria Herrera (Klint Forward Racing Team) 131 points
2. Beatriz Neila (Ampito Crescent Yamaha) 122
3. Sara Sanchez (Terra & Vita GRT Yamaha WorldWCR Team) 89
4. Roberta Ponziani (Klint Forward Racing Team) 86
5. Chloe Jones (GR Motosport) 53
6. Pakita Ruiz (PR46+1 Racing Team) 50
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