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MARIA HERRERA Defends Title as WorldWCR Welcomes 8 Rookies for 2026 Season

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December 16, 2025

GRRL! SUMMARY:

  • Defending champion MARIA HERRERA returns to lead a field of 24 riders from 12 countries as WorldWCR enters its third season. The Terra & Vita GRT Yamaha rider faces strong competition from 2025 runner-up BEATRIZ NEILA and third-place finisher CHLOE JONES, who’s positioned as a key title contender for the six-round campaign starting at Portimao in March.
  • Eight rookies bring fresh energy to the championship, led by PAOLA RAMOS who earned her full-time ride after a stunning wildcard victory in the final race of 2025. Other newcomers include MARTINA GUARINO, KATIE HAND, and LINE VIEILLARD, proving the championship continues attracting top talent from across North and South America, Europe, and Oceania.
  • The experienced core of 12 returning riders creates a compelling mix of proven performers and hungry newcomers, with regular podium finishers SARA SANCHEZ, ROBERTA PONZIANI, and TAYLA RELPH ready to challenge for wins. Two-time podium finisher LUCIE BOUDESSEUL looks to build on her promising debut season as the single-make Yamaha YZF-R7 series continues showcasing women’s racing on the global stage.

UPCOMING:

  • March 21-22: Mandatory Media Days
  • March 27-29: WorldWCR Round 1 – Portimao, Portugal
  • April 17-19: WorldWCR Round 2 – TT Circuit Assen, Netherlands
  • May 1-3: WorldWCR Round 3 – Balaton Park Circuit, Hungary

LINKS TO RACER'S PROFILE PAGES:

MARTINA GUARINO KATIE HAND LINE VIEILLARD ARIANNA BARALE PATRYCJA SOWA KAROLINA DANAK DENISE DAL ZOTTO MARIA HERRERA BEATRIZ NEILA SARA SÁNCHEZ ROBERTA PONZIANI TAYLA RELPH CHLOE JONES LUCIE BOUDESSEUL ANA CARRASCO

fim women’s circuit racing, portimão, worldwcr, yamaha yzf-r7

GRRL! summary based upon reporting originally appearing on superbike-news.co.uk