HERRERA Defends Title As NEILA, JONES Chase Glory At WorldWCR Opener

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March 26, 2026

GRRL! SUMMARY:

  • MARIA HERRERA dominated testing seven-tenths clear, sole rider with Portimao win experience. BEATRIZ NEILA took P3 in testing, must beat HERRERA head-to-head after finishing runner-up last campaign.
  • Nineteen-year-old PAOLA RAMOS exploded onto scene with wildcard P4 and race win last season, followed with P2 testing pace. CHLOE JONES progressed throughout 2025, now fights for Britain’s first WorldWCR crown.
  • SARA SANCHEZ holds double Portimao podium record, joins new Hadden Racing squad. ROBERTA PONZIANI won race last season, targets improved consistency. PAKITA RUIZ outpaced LUCIE BOUDESSEUL by half-second in testing despite fewer podiums.
  • ISIS CARRENO returns fully recovered from mid-2025 injury that dropped finishes from P9 to P15. ASTRID MADRIGAL targets top-eight representing Americas. NATALIA RIVERA builds on strong rookie campaign seeking consistency.
  • Wildcard MUKLADA SARAPUECH impressed with P8 testing time. Rookie KAROLINA DANAK fastest newcomer at P9. Eight first-time WorldWCR riders including YVONNE CERPA, LINE VIEILLARD debut at season opener.

UPCOMING:

  • Pirelli Portuguese Round – Portimao Circuit

LINKS TO RACER'S PROFILE PAGES:

MARIA HERRERA BEATRIZ NEILA PAOLA RAMOS CHLOE JONES SARA SÁNCHEZ ROBERTA PONZIANI PAKITA RUIZ LUCIE BOUDESSEUL ISIS CARRENO ASTRID MADRIGAL NATALIA RIVERA MUKLADA SARAPUECH KAROLINA DANAK YVONNE CERPA LINE VIEILLARD

ampito crescent yamaha, portimão, worldwcr, yamaha r7

GRRL! summary based upon reporting originally appearing on www.worldsbk.com