Maria Herrera won Race One of the World Women’s Circuit Racing at Donington Park, in England. Riding her Klint Forward Racing Team Yamaha YZF-R7 on Pirelli control tires, Herrera won the 12-lap race by 0.155 second.
Beatriz Neila was the runner-up on her Ampito Crescent Yamaha YZF-R7.
Chloe Jones was third on her GR Motosport Yamaha YZF-R7.
American Sonya Lloyd finished 24th on her Team Trasimeno Yamaha YZF-R7 and American Mallory Dobbs got 25th on her Diva Racing Yamaha YZF-R7.
Results WWCR race 1
More from a press release issued by Dorna:
FOUR-RIDER BATTLE: Herrera fends off rivals for Race 1 victory as Jones claims first WorldWCR podium. Maria Herrera made it nine career WorldWCR wins in Race 1 at Donington, while home hero Chloe Jones secured a stunning first podium.
In the first FIM Women’s Circuit Racing World Championship race of the Prosecco DOC UK Round, Maria Herrera (Klint Forward Racing Team) snatched the race win away from Beatriz Nelia (Ampito Crescent Yamaha) in the final lap to make it three wins in 2025 so far. Neila did well to overtake Herrera several times throughout the contest; however, in the end, the #36 fell to P2. For her first-ever podium, British rider Chloe Jones (GR Motorsport) brought home P3 for her home fans.
Four-Way Battle For The Win: Herrera leads Neila, Jones and Sanchez, the odd woman out
Hererra surged forward from P2 on the grid to claim the holeshot, taking P1 on the approach to the first corner from Neila, who had started from pole position for the first time this season. While the pair had pulled away early on, Jones and Sara Sanchez (Terra & Vita GRT Yamaha WorldWCR Team) steadily caught back up, and by the last four laps, the quartet laid it all on the line for the win. Neila led in the second-to-last lap; however, after running wide at the Melbourne Hairpin, she fell to the back of the group, and Herrera took P1. Neila jumped back ahead of Sanchez in P4 and Jones in P3; however, it was too little, too late as Herrera secured the race win despite Neila’s last lap clocking in nearly a second faster than Herrera and setting a new track record. Jones held onto her P3 for her first career podium to the elation of the British fans in attendance. Sara Sanchez (Terra & Vita GRT Yamaha WorldWCR Team) did well to collaborate with Jones to make up the gap to the group ahead of them, yet Sanchez found herself left off the podium in P4.
Breakout Race For Boudesseul: P5 for the Frenchwoman
Rookie Lucie Boudesseul (GMT94-YAMAHA) landed her best performance in her rookie season, finishing P5 as she gave chase behind the lead group ahead of her. Pakita Ruiz (PR46+1 Racing Team) emerged the winner of a three-way battle for P6 with Jessica Howden (Team Trasimeno) and Ornella Ongaro (Ornella Ongaro Racing Team). Ruiz may have outpaced Howden in P6 and Ongaro in P7, yet they both landed their best results of the season so far – and, for Howden, it was her joint-best WorldWCR result.
Recovery Ride For Ponziani: From back of grid start to finish P10
Avalon Lewis (Carl Cox Motorsports) finished ninth, battling with Ruiz and the group ahead of her before losing a step in the late laps. After being sent to the back of the grid for a technical disqualification applied after Friday’s Superpole session, Roberta Ponziani (Klint Forward Racing Team) had to start from the back of the grid in P25. She showed resilience in her determination to salvage points from the race, emerging P10.
The top six from the WorldSBK Race 1: Full results here!
1. Maria Herrera (Klint Forward Racing Team)
2. Beatriz Nelia (Ampito Crescent Yamaha) +0.155s
3. Chloe Jones (GR Motorsport) +1.044s
4. Sara Sanchez (Terra & Vita GRT Yamaha WorldWCR Team) +1.426s
5. Lucie Boudesseul (GMT94-YAMAHA) +4.837s
6. Pakita Ruiz (PR46+1 Racing Team) +21.691s
Fastest lap: Beatriz Nelia (Ampito Crescent Yamaha) 1’38.964s – new lap record
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