PREVIEW: Ramos and Herrera head to Assen tied on points as WorldWCR prepares for a Dutch duel
Portimao was thrilling and Assen will be no different as WorldWCR gets set to take on the historic ‘Cathedral of Speed’
The FIM Women’s Circuit Racing World Championship hits the iconic TT Circuit Assen for Round 2 of the 2026 season, and already it looks like it’s going to be an epic season. The Pirelli Dutch Round provides an opportunity for the current top two to extend their lead at the head of the standings, but also a chance for others to recover some points. The racing in 2025 at Assen was incredible and expect more of the same in 2026.
THE LEAD GROUP: Nothing separates Ramos and Herrera, Neila and Jones to be in the mix?
Heading to the second round of the WorldWCR season, Paola Ramos (Klint Racing Team) leads Maria Herrera (Terra & Vita GRT Yamaha WorldWCR) in the standings – but only as her last win was more recent. The pair both have 45 points, although it will be Ramos’s first time at Assen. Beatriz Neila (Ampito Crescent Yamaha) sits third after two P3 finishes at Portimao. She crossed the line in first at Assen twice last year, although a track limits penalty demoted her to P2 in Race 1. Can the #36 claim a first win of the year? Chloe Jones (Monster Energy Crescent Yamaha) had a tough Portimao and will hope Assen provides better fortunes. Last year at the Dutch venue, she was P6 and P7.
IN THE PODIUM MIX? Several riders aiming for the rostrum
Roberta Ponziani (Klint Racing Team) heads to the Dutch Round in fourth in the standings after two top-six finishes at Portimao and will look to be in the podium mix in the Netherlands. At Assen last year, she finished fifth and fourth. Pakita Ruiz (PR46+1 Racing Team) is close behind the #96 and will look to replicate that in Round 2, at a circuit where she has a best finish of P5. Sara Sanchez (Hadden Racing Team) has been a WorldWCR podium contender in the past and will aim to return to that form – and what better place than Assen where she took two P3 finishes in 2025?
STARTING OFF STRONG: Looking to replicate Portimao form or previous Assen results
Yvonne Cerpa (MotosCerpa-Gradara Corse) had a strong debut round at Portimao with P6 in Race 1 and P9 in Race 2, although Assen will be a new circuit for the #11. She was involved in some brilliant battles with Natalia Rivera (Terra & Vita GRT Yamaha WorldWCR), and Sanchez, Cerpa and Rivera are all tied on points heading to the Netherlands. Will any of them be able to steal a march on their rivals at Round 2? Talya Relph (Full Throttle Racing) sits ninth in the standings, and she’ll aim to repeat her top-seven finishes at Assen from last year, while Lucie Boudesseul (GMT94 Yamaha) rounds out the top ten.
WILDCARDS AT ASSEN: Sarapeuch returns, Scheffer set for debut
After making her WorldWCR debut at Portimao, and scoring points, Thai rider Muklada Sarapuech (EEST NJT Racing Team) returns for Assen as she aims to repeat her points-scoring exploits from the opening round. Dutch rider Birgit Scheffer (Motorradtechnik Geenen by Yamaha) will make her WorldWCR debut.
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