MARIA HERRERA Defends Title as WorldWCR 2026 Welcomes 8 Rookies to 24-Rider Field

December 16, 2025

• The 2026 WorldWCR grid expands to 24 riders from 12 countries, proving that women’s motorcycle racing isn’t just surviving—it’s absolutely thriving on a global scale. Defending champion MARIA HERRERA leads a core group of 13 veterans who’ve been grinding since day one, while eight fresh faces bring new energy to what’s becoming the gold standard for equal opportunity racing platforms.
• Among the standout rookies, PAOLA RAMOS earned her full-time seat the hard way by winning the final race of 2025 as a wildcard—because that’s how you make an entrance. She joins promising newcomers like MARTINA GUARINO, KATIE HAND, and LINE VIEILLARD, who’ve already shown flashes of brilliance in their limited appearances and are ready to shake up the established order.
• The championship battle promises fireworks with 2025 runner-up BEATRIZ NEILA hungry for redemption and third-place finisher CHLOE JONES positioned as a legitimate title threat. Add in proven race winners like SARA SANCHEZ and ROBERTA PONZIANI, plus rising talent LUCIE BOUDESSEUL building on her breakthrough season, and we’re looking at the deepest, most competitive field in WorldWCR history kicking off at Portimao March 27-29.

autodromo internacional do algarve, women’s motorcycle racing, worldwcr, yamaha yzf-r7