Race 2 of the WorldWCR was the race we wanted and needed after the turbulent start to the season during yesterdays first ever women’s world championship at the Misano International Circuit.
It’s important to recognise that this Championship is an historic step in cementing the acceptance of women racers across all series the world out. While there are some that argue that women should be racing within the regular championships alongside their male counterparts without a need for a women’s only championship, the simple fact is that there just aren’t the opportunities or publicity for women racers, even if their talent surpasses the men riding alongside them. This Championship, in my opinion forces the media and the racing community to pay attention, to focus solely on the publicity and enhancement of all the women racers within this series. It’s about making it mainstream for us all watching at home to see. It’s the stepping stone for many of these women to elevate their talent and garner the recognition, that had they been a male, would have already been afforded to them. And the racing in today’s second race was spectacular!
After the unfortunate events of yesterdays Race 1 resulting in long delays and several restarts the benefits of an evenings rest to reset, regroup and refocus was evident with race 2 delivering the first lights to flag action packed spectacle the championship always promised.
As the lights went out it was Carrasco who got the holeshot into turn 1 closely followed by Herrera, Sanchez and Neila. Herrera soon regained the place and the battle for first began with the group breaking away from the rest of the pack. Heading into the final three laps, Herrera was ahead of Sanchez with Niela being within the top three before Carrasco reclaimed that position on lap 10. Herrera and Sanchez continued to trade places with Herrera leading out of turn 10 with Sanchez then slipstreaming her way alongside and ahead, but on the final turn Herrara was able to outbreak Sanchez and it was a drag race to the line with Herrera crossing the line 0.085 seconds ahead and taking her second win of the weekend. The battle for 3rd was equalling hard fought with Carassco crossing the line ahead of Niela by a mere 0.047 seconds.
Yamaha Motoxracing rider Roberta Ponziani finished fifth place, this being her home round, ahead of Isis Carreno the Chilean rider for AD78 FIM Latinoamerica in sixth. French rider Ornella Ongara, who crashed out on the first lap of the restarted race yesterday crossed the line in 7th celebrating it like a win. Ran Yochay crossed the line next with Ongara alongside with a difference of 0.006s between them. Patika Ruiz and Lucy Michel completed the top ten after rider Chun Mei Liu crashed out on the final lap from 8th position.
We now look to Donington Park, England whereby both Herrera and Carrasco have considerable experience above the rest of the grid, bar British Rider Lissy Whitmore, for whom today did not take part in todays racing after the overnight onset of a sickness bug and being declared unfit to ride.
Words: Kerrie McFadden
Website: First Turn Media
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