Misano, Race 2: Double victory for Herrera, Thai rider makes history

The starting grid for the second round of the Women's Circuit Racing World Championship - WorldWCR for short - is based on the fastest race lap from Saturday for the first nine positions and on the order of the Superpole from 10th place onwards.

Shortly before her crash, Roberta Ponziani had set the fastest race lap and therefore moved up to pole position. The Italian was joined on the front row by Beatriz Neila and Race 1 winner Maria Herrera. Paola Ramos, who was shot down by Josephine Bruno on Saturday, dropped back from the front of the grid to fifth position. Bruno in turn started fourth but had to complete a long lap penalty. Lucy Michel finished 23rd on the grid.

The twelve-lap race got underway unusually early at 11:50 a.m. in summery conditions that were already 27 degrees Celsius. Herrera won the start and entered the first corner in the lead, followed by Ponziani, Neila, Ramos and the fast Thai Muklada Sarapuech. Turn 8 saw Tayla Relph retire, who was uninjured in the crash. Michel came out of the first lap in last place.

After two laps, Herrera led with the fastest race lap of 1:47.843 minutes, 0.7 seconds ahead of Neila and Ponziani. After a mistake, Ramos dropped back to 11th place. Neila then also improved her lap times to under 1:48 min and was the only rider to keep pace with the world champion.

Herrera and Neila pulled further away with each lap and at the halfway point were already 6 seconds ahead of Ponziani and Yvonne Cerpa, who were battling for third place. As expected, Ramos ploughed through the field and was back in the top 5. The podium was within the 19-year-old's grasp. Lucy Michel (23rd) rode in a group that reached up to 21st place.

At the front, Neila confined herself to riding behind and studying the lines of her compatriot. Ponziani, Cerpa, Ramos and Sarapuech fought for the last place on the podium. Sara Sanchez and Karolina Danak caught up with the quartet through the position battles and made it a sextet. The positions in this group changed at every bend.

On the penultimate lap, Neila took the initiative and attacked Herrera for the first time - but the 29-year-old immediately regained the lead. Herrera defended her position with a knife between her teeth and took the first double victory in the 2026 WorldWCR. Neila crossed the finish line in second place, just 0.075 seconds behind.

Muklada Sarapuech sensationally claimed the first podium for a Thai and Asian woman in the Women's World Championship. The 33-year-old quickly established herself as one of the strongest riders, even without any track knowledge.

The Forward riders Ponziani and Ramos completed the top 5.

Emily Bonda and Danak crashed in the final phase. The latter was taken to the medical centre for examination.

Lucy Michel prevailed in her group, but missed out on the points in 18th place.