Maria Herrera topped FIM World Women’s Circuit Racing Superpole qualifying Friday afternoon at Jerez, in Spain. Riding her Klint Forward Racing Team Yamaha YZF-R7 on Pirelli control tires, Herrera lapped the 2.75-mile (4.42 km) course in 1:51.572 to top the field of 25 riders and earn pole position.

Beatriz Neila was the best of the rest with a 1:51.880 on her Ampito Crescent Yamaha YZF-R7 , and Paola Ramos earned the third and final spot on the front row with a lap time of 1:51.947 on her YVS Sabadell Yamaha YZF-R7.

Americans Mallory Dobbs got 9th on her Diva Racing Yamaha YZF-R7 with a time of 1:53.184 and Sonya Lloyd finished 17th on her Team Trasimeno Yamaha YZF-R7 with a lap time of 1:55.439.

More from a press release issued by Dorna: 

TITLE FIGHT DECIDER SET UP: Herrera claims Jerez pole ahead of Neila, wildcard Ramos stuns with P3. There were surprises in store during the Tissot Superpole session at Jerez as Herrera beat Neila to pole and wildcard Ramos claimed a debut front row start.

The only two riders remaining in the FIM Women’s Circuit Racing World Championship title fight will start Race 1 at the Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto, Andalucia. Maria Herrera (Klint Forward Racing Team) claimed the final pole position of 2025 by more than three tenths ahead of title rival Beatriz Neila (Ampito Crescent Yamaha) as the #6 took her sixth WorldWCR pole position at the Pirelli Spanish Round.

BATTLING FOR POLE: Herrera beats Neila to P1, a wildcard surprises

Herrera started the session by being the first rider to lap into the 1’52s and she kept improving her grip on provisional pole, improving to a 1’51.572s to move over a second clear of Neila who was running in second, although the #36 improved her time to a 1’52.349s; 0.777s down on Herrera. However, Neila improved further again to see a 1’51.880s, slashing the gap to Herrera in half. Despite Neila following Herrera on the final run, neither were able to improve as Herrera claimed her third pole of the 2025 season, with Neila in second. Wildcard Paolo Ramos (YVS Sabadell) impressed as she claimed P3 on her WorldWCR debut, only 0.375s away from Herrera.

SECOND ROW STARTING POSITION: Ponziani takes P4 ahead of Relph

Roberta Ponziani (Klint Forward Racing Team) left it late to claim a second-row start with fourth after lapping with a 1’52.246s, ahead of Australia’s Talya Relph (Full Throttle Racing) in fifth. The Australian lapped 0.977s down on Herrera’s pole time, but she had about a tenth in hand over sixth-placed Lucie Boudesseul (GMT94-YAMAHA).

INSIDE THE TOP TEN: Jones climbs up to P7

Chloe Jones (GR Motosport) spent her final laps behind Herrera and Neila to improve her time, eventually finishing seventh in the 25-minute session. Pakita Ruiz (PR46+1 Racing Team) claimed eighth ahead of the USA’s Mallory Dobbs (Diva Racing), who set a 1’53.184s to round out the third row. Natalia Rivera (Terra & Vita GRT Yamaha WorldWCR Team) completed the top ten.

The top six from WorldWCR Superpole, full results here:

1. Maria Herrera (Klint Forward Racing Team) 1’51.572s

2. Beatriz Neila (Ampito Crescent Yamaha) +0.308s

3. Paola Ramos (YVS Sabadell) +0.375s

4. Roberta Ponziani (Klint Forward Racing Team) +0.674s

5. Tayla Relph (Full Throttle Racing) +0.977s

6. Lucie Boudesseul (GMT94 Yamaha) +1.049s

Next up, Race 1! Watch all the action at 11:50 Local Time (UTC+2) on Saturday on the WorldWCR YouTube channel!