The single day of the Official Test for the FIM Women’s Circuit Racing World Championship has ended with Maria Herrera (Terra & Vita GRT Yamaha WorldWCR) leading the way ahead of Paola Ramos (Klint Racing Team) and Beatriz Neila (Ampito Crescent Yamaha). The Autodromo Internacional do Algarve hosted the action and it’ll be just a few days before WorldWCR is back on track at the same venue as the 2026 campaign kicks off with the Pirelli Portuguese Round.

HERRERA’S THOUGHTS: “It’ll be a tough race with a big group this year”

Herrera comes into 2026 as the defending Champion and she started off her campaign with P1 in the test. The #6 was the only rider to lap in the 1’52s as she posted a 1’52.728s to claim top spot ahead of Ramos, who Herrera identified as her main rival following the test’s conclusion. Herrera, who switched teams ahead of this season, completed 66 laps and set her best time on her 65^th lap.

Herrera stated about the test and her first thoughts about her new team: “I’m very happy to start in this way because I knew Paola would ride very, very fast. In the end, I worked very well in the test. I felt the same feelings so, step by step, I improved my lap time. I could do the fastest lap but, for sure, the battle is with Paola right now. The bike is the same. The team gave me a bit more confidence and calmness, so I’m happy with my performance and with the work done. I expect to try to win. It’ll be a tough race with a big group this year.”

RAMOS AIMING HIGH IN HER ROOKIE CAMPAIGN: “I want to fight in the front part of the group”

Ramos enters 2026 with the knowledge that she can fight at the front in WorldWCR following her sensational wildcard appearance at Jerez last year. While she won Race 2 by almost 10 seconds, that was in part due to Herrera and Neila fighting for the title and allowing her to escape up the road, she was quick in Race 1 as well as she finished in P4; she crossed the line in a podium position before she was penalised. At the test, the #58 posted a 1’53.398s with 74 laps completed as she looks to impress and fight with the established names in her first full-time WorldWCR campaign.

Reflecting on her test, Ramos said: “I felt so good! I feel very good with the bike and myself, and I think we did a really good job today. We worked on all the bike, the suspension on the front and rear, so we tried a lot of things. We have a conclusion. I think I can stay in the front group like at Jerez. Let’s see how the race goes. For the whole season, it’s the same. I want to fight in the front part of the group, get a lot of points for the Championship and maybe fight for it at the end of the season.”

NEILA REACTS TO P3: “I’m happy and proud because I made a big step”

Neila finished as runner-up to Herrera in 2025 and will be aiming to go one better this season. She started her campaign off with P3 in the test as she set a 1’54.452s to claim third, lapping just over a second behind Ramos and 1.724s off Herrera’s pace. The #36 completed the second-most laps throughout the day, racking up 77 in total, and she explained what her test programme was and her goals for the season.

Neila said: “The positive of this test is that I worked super hard. I tried a lot of things on the bike, with new and used tyres. I’m happy and proud because I made a big step. I didn’t test at this circuit before this test, so I improved a lot. I’m happy. I feel the same as last year. I think it’ll be the same with Maria, with Paola like in the last race. I think it’ll be the same and it’ll be good. My objectives for the season are to have fun, enjoy and also try to win, like last year.”

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