"I also know now, in my mind, I’m able to make another podium" – Boudesseul’s rostrum the key to kickstarting strong form?
The French rider crashed from Race 1 but bounced back on Sunday to claim a P3 finish and her third podium in WorldWCR
Lucie Boudesseul (GMT94 Yamaha) had a mixed weekend at the TT Circuit Assen in the FIM Women’s Circuit Racing World Championship. A crash in Race 1 on the last lap while running in the top ten was followed by a podium in Race 2 at the Pirelli Dutch Round, securing the #94 her first visit to the rostrum this season. It ended a run of two retirements for the French rider, who will now aim to push on when WorldWCR returns at Balaton Park.
Boudesseul put her Yamaha R7 machine fifth on the grid in Friday’s Tissot Superpole session, and was running in the top ten when she crashed out of Race 1 at Turn 8, ending her hopes of scoring points. She would also start Race 2 from further back, having set the eighth fastest lap of Race 1, meaning a third row start compared to the second row start she had for Race 1.
She made quick progress however, moving up to fifth by the end of the opening lap and led the group for P3 by the end of Lap 3 as she moved into a provisional podium spot. She tightened her grip on third place when rain started to fall, very quickly moving away from the group behind as she took advantage of the tricky conditions and, from there, went unchallenged by her rivals to finish in third. She was 9.5 seconds behind race winner Beatriz Neila (Ampito Crescent Yamaha) and 7.2 seconds ahead of Roberta Ponziani (Klint Racing Team) in fourth.
Discussing her Race 2 podium, the French rider said: “The race was crazy with the rain. After Saturday’s crash, I had a plan in my mind that I wanted to lead the group and make a gap alone. It’s exactly what I did. I’m happy to be back on the podium for the first one of this year. I feel better now! After the crash at Portimao and also in Race 1, it was a lot of lost points. The podium got me good points, but I also know now, in my mind, that I’m able to make another podium.”
Boudesseul secured two podiums last season in her rookie year, and was in the fight for more but just missed out. A P4 finish in Race 1 at Portimao and the Assen podium suggests she’ll be in the hunt for more throughout the 2026 campaign, but she has also had two crashes, meaning she sits seventh in the Riders’ Championship. She sits 23 points behind Ponziani in third, with Paola Ramos (Klint Racing Team) fourth, 16 points clear of the French rider.
Don’t miss any Balaton Park action in WorldWCR – watch Superpole and both races for FREE on YouTube, and follow the Championship on Instagram, X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook.
