The FIM Women’s Circuit Racing World Championship’s third season closes into the home stretch with just two rounds remaining. Riders from five different nations have stood on the podium, but Maria Herrera (Terra & Vita GRT Yamaha WorldWCR) has consistently stood on the top step of the podium this season as she approaches the penultimate round at Donington Park. Behind her, a diverse cast of talented riders give chase, each determined to ride on the knife’s edge to pull off what would be one of the most sensational upsets in the Championship’s short history.
NEILA PREPARES FOR AN ALL-OUT ATTACK
Mathematically, five riders remain in contention for the Riders’ Championship; however, of the challengers to Herrera's prospective title defence, Beatriz Neila (Ampito Crescent Yamaha) holds the best chance to pull off the late comeback. With 100 points left on the board and trailing by 24 points, if the #36 can manage to win all four remaining races, she will still need the current Championship leader to score 75 points or less. As such, even if Neila prevailed over Herrera to win each remaining race with the #6 in P2, Herrera would win the title by a mere four points. The Madrid native will hope for more than just outright speed to see her to her first WorldWCR title, as at this late stage of the 2026 campaign, the path to the title will require outcomes beyond just beating out the rider with the most all-time WorldWCR wins.
HAIL MARY TITLE HOPES
For Paola Ramos (Klint Racing Team), her teammate Roberta Ponziani, and Thai rider Muklada Sarapuech (EEST NJT Racing Team), who currently ride in third, fourth and fifth place respectively, the outlook isn’t quite so optimistic. Currently 84 points back, Ramos would require the Championship leader to score a maximum of only 15 points over the next four races. The picture is even more bleak for Ponziani and Sarapuech. With seven more points, Herrera eliminates the #96, and with just two more, the Thai rider would fall out of the title race.
CERPA AND SARAPUECH SQUARE UP FOR TOP ROOKIE HONOURS
While not an official title, the bragging rights of finishing as 2026’s top rookie are up for grabs as well. Sarapuech has taken 2026 by storm, consistently finishing among the top ten, improving as the year has progressed, and is coming off of her first-ever WorldWCR podium. 28 points behind her, Yvonne Cerpa (MotosCerpa-Gradara Corse) has ridden a proud rookie campaign, and while she had her share of struggles at Balaton Park, missing the top ten in both races, she has only missed the points on one occasion, and landed her best result of the season at Misano, where she fought with the pacey Thai rider.
Stay tuned for the final two WorldWCR rounds to see who comes out on top by subscribing to the WorldWCR YouTube channel and following the Championship on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Facebook!