The Women’s World Speed Championship experienced a historic yet dramatic debut at the Misano World Circuit “Marco Simoncelli” with its inaugural race. Under clear skies, twelve competitive laps were planned, but the race was cut short due to a serious accident.
María Herrera took an early lead, showcasing her experience on the track. Ana Carrasco, another seasoned rider, closely followed, setting the stage for a fierce battle. Sara Sánchez and Beatriz Neila joined the fray, forming a dominant group of four Spanish riders who quickly distanced themselves from the rest of the field, with Roberta Ponziani leading the chase group.
By the fifth lap, the race saw intense action among the leading riders, with numerous overtakes and tactical maneuvers. However, the competition was abruptly interrupted when Mia Rusthen crashed her motorcycle just before the finish line on the seventh lap. Rusthen’s Yamaha R7 flipped violently, prompting a red flag and immediate medical attention.
The crash resulted in Mia Rusthen sustaining serious injuries, leading to her being transported to a Cesena hospital with multiple injuries (“polytrauma”). Mia Rusthen is in an induced coma and the Doctors performed surgery to relieve brain swelling and remove a bleed. Post-surgery, Rusthen’s condition is reported to be stable, with positive signs from the medical team regarding her recovery.
