MARIA HERRERA Wins Assen Thriller; ROBERTA PONZIANI Takes First 2026 Podium
click to enlarge
April 18, 2026
GRRL! SUMMARY:
- MARIA HERRERA secured her 14th WorldWCR career win and second of 2026 at Assen, executing a decisive block pass on the final chicane after BEATRIZ NEILA briefly grabbed P1, extending Neila’s podium streak to 17 consecutive races.
- ROBERTA PONZIANI claimed her first 2026 podium after surviving a wild six-rider battle for P3. PAOLA RAMOS crashed from third on the final chicane while pushing to reclaim the position, taking SARA SANCHEZ down in the process.
- Thai rider MUKLADA SARAPUECH achieved a career-best P5 finish after nearly landing her first podium, while CHLOE JONES delivered her strongest 2026 result with P4, a massive jump from P13 at Portimao opener.
- TAYLA RELPH was taken to medical centre after a Lap 1 Turn 1 incident involving EMILY BONDI, PAKITA RUIZ, and LINE VIEILLARD. YVONNE CERPA received multiple penalties for causing the collision, dropping to P17.
- ASTRID MADRIGAL finished P7 while MARTINA GUARINO improved her personal best from P16 to P10. NATALIA RIVERA tied her career-best P6 finish, staying clear of the podium-contending melee ahead.
UPCOMING:
- WorldWCR Race 2 – TT Assen Circuit – April 20, 2026
LINKS TO RACER'S PROFILE PAGES:
GRRL! summary based upon reporting originally appearing on www.worldsbk.com
Related News:

KAROLINA DANAK: From gymnastics to WorldWCR in three years
November 3, 2026

EMILY BONDI & DENISE DAL ZOTTO headline WorldWCR at EICMA 2026
November 2, 2026

GUILLEN vs FONTANESI: WMX world title decided in Darwin
November 1, 2026

ELLA DREHER, MALLORY DOBBS & MAYLA HERRICK head to Goias
October 30, 2026

MALLORY DOBBS wins CVMA Winter Series opener in Aprilia battle
October 28, 2026

LOTTE VAN DRUNEN splits from De Baets AIT Racing for 2027
October 27, 2026





