With the 2026 FIM Women’s Circuit Racing World Championship reaching the halfway point at the Balaton Park Circuit, it looks like the 2026 battle will come down to Maria Herrera (Terra & Vita GRT Yamaha WorldWCR) and Beatriz Neila (Ampito Crescent Yamaha) once again, although Paola Ramos (Klint Racing Team) remains within touching distance. Herrera claimed victory in Race 1 at the Motul Hungarian Round, but she lost points to Neila when she finished directly behind the #36 in P3 in Race 2.

THE TITLE CONTENDERS BATTLE: Herrera comes out on top in Race 1

Herrera claimed the fastest time in Tissot Superpole while Neila could only manage the fifth-quickest time, although she was promoted two spots when both the reigning Champion and Ramos were demoted three places each for slow riding. Herrera and Neila both got a good start in Race 1 as they headed straight to the front of the field and immediately pulled out a gap over Ramos, although the #58 did close that. The top two in the Championship battled and exchanged positions throughout the race, before Herrera claimed victory by 0.263s ahead of her title rival. That extended her title lead out to 18 points after five races.”

HERRERA’S THOUGHTS: “I expected Bea to try to overtake me on the last lap

Reflecting on her Race 1 win, Herrera said: “It was difficult because we started a few times. It was difficult to manage the focus, and I started from P4. I had a good first lap and managed to follow Bea and see some places to overtake her. I tried several times. I could make a fast lap so I’m very happy with that race. I expected Bea to try to overtake me on the last lap, but I didn’t know what happened; I finished alone!”

NEILA FIGHTS BACK: Closing the deficit a little bit…

However, there was another shift on Sunday. This time, Ramos and Neila started from P1 and P2 after setting the two fastest laps in Race 1, with Herrera again on the second row. A four-rider battle brewed on Sunday as the three Spaniards were joined by Thai sensation Makluda Sarapuech (EEST NJT Racing Team), although the #12 dropped back with a few laps to go. Ramos claimed a sensational victory on the final lap despite Neila leading for most of it, with Herrera settling for third. That allowed the #6 to claw back four points in the title fight, bringing the gap down to 14 with Misano, Donington and Jerez to come. Ramos is not out of contention, but she must claw back a 45-point deficit to Herrera.

NEILA ON THE TITLE FIGHT: “I’m going to fight every race, every lap until the end”

Discussing P2 and the title fight, a slightly despondent Neila said: “The race was hard, also because I was at the front every lap and I closed the door every corner. I pushed until the end every lap. I finished in second. It’s true that the points are important for the Championship, but, for me, I deserved the victory. One time win, one time loss. It’s a victory for me because I had a great race, but I lost. I have to keep working until the end. The Championship is still open, and these points were important to be closer. I’m going to fight every race, every lap until the end.”

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