Ana Carrasco is the first champion of the Women’s World Championship (WorldWCR). The inaugural season of the championship concluded this Sunday with a final race in Jerez marked by a dramatic ending, with the other title contender, María Herrera, crashing in the last corner. Sara Sánchez emerged as the race winner.
Herrera (Klint Forward) had a strong start to take the lead, ahead of Carrasco (Evan Bros Yamaha). However, still on the opening lap, Carrasco took the lead, while Herrera dropped to fifth.
Beatriz Neila (Ampito Pata Prometeon Yamaha) moved into second, while newcomer Chloe Jones (GR Motorsport) surprised everyone by reaching third at the Dani Pedrosa corner.
On the second lap, a notification emerged that Jones had jumped the start, and she would have to serve a double Long Lap penalty. Meanwhile, Herrera quickly recovered to second place and began to pressure Carrasco, taking the lead by the end of the lap.
The two title contenders weren’t alone in the battle for victory, as seven riders formed the leading group with nine laps to go. At the front, Herrera tried to manage the pace: to be champion, she would need to win and ensure Carrasco didn’t score more than 12 points.
5 LAPS TO GO!👀🔥#WorldWCR 🇪🇸 pic.twitter.com/4u51ibvBk9
— WorldWCR (@World_WCR) October 20, 2024
As the laps went by, the front group was reduced to five riders: Herrera, Neila, Carrasco, Sara Sánchez (511 Terra&Vita Racing Team), and Roberta Ponziani (Yamaha Motoxracing). With four laps to go, Herrera was virtually the champion, leading with Carrasco in fifth.
However, the front group had now grown to six riders, and there was still a long way to go. Ponziani started the last lap in the lead, with Herrera in third and Carrasco in fifth. With Carrasco in that position, Herrera would be champion if she won.
The Klint Forward rider even took the lead while Carrasco remained in fifth. The title was within reach, but the lap still had to be completed. In the final corner, Sánchez moved to the front, and in an attempt to respond, Herrera made contact with her rival’s rear wheel and crashed.
DRAMA AT THE LAST TURN!🤯@MariiaHerrera_6 falls and it costs her a Championship💥#WorldWCR 🇪🇸 pic.twitter.com/oxwV9WGZYF
— WorldWCR (@World_WCR) October 20, 2024
A dramatic ending when the title seemed possible. Meanwhile, Sánchez confirmed her victory, with Neila finishing second and Carrasco closing the podium while celebrating the first-ever title in WorldWCR. Ponziani and Pakita Ruiz (PS Racing Team 46+1) completed the top five.
Results:
For the last time this season…
— WorldWCR (@World_WCR) October 20, 2024
Race 2 full results!🏁🔥#WorldWCR 🇪🇸 pic.twitter.com/WB5vfhsGPn
