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The FIM World Women’s Circuit Racing championship delivered a tense finale at the scenic Balaton Park Circuit in Hungary, where the second race of the weekend unfolded over 11 laps. Riding a Yamaha YZF-R7 for the Klint Racing Team on Pirelli control tires, Paola Ramos executed a decisive late-race attack to edge out Beatriz Neila by 0.227 seconds. Race 2 produced a tight podium; Maria Herrera completed the top three, crossing the line just 0.241 seconds behind the winner and keeping her title charge alive.
Qualifying and practice form proved relevant across the weekend. Maria Herrera had been the benchmark in both sessions, posting the quickest time in Free Practice with a 1:54.179 lap and converting that pace into pole with a 1:52.264 during Superpole. Meanwhile, American rider Mallory Dobbs rode her YVS Sabadell Diva Racing Yamaha to mid-pack times in practice and qualifying before finishing Race 2 in 21st. The sequence of sessions — Free Practice, Superpole and the two races — shaped the narrative that culminated in a dramatic late maneuver for victory.
Race 2: last-lap drama and how the lead changed hands
The race began with a compact lead group: Ramos, Herrera and Neila swept into Turn 1 together, and early laps saw Neila and Herrera setting the tempo while Muklada Sarapuech forced her way into contention. By Lap 3 Sarapuech had joined the front pair and continued to press; she even ran as high as second at Turn 9 on Lap 5. Neila controlled the running for the majority of the distance, with Herrera tucked closely behind. With three circuits remaining Ramos launched her charge: she seized third in the closing sector of Lap 8, surged ahead into Lap 9 and then executed a bold final-chicane overtake to clinch the win. That last-lap move was a textbook example of opportunistic timing and nerve under pressure.
Key moments and tactical decisions
Ramos’ recovery from a mid-pack position into the lead highlighted the value of slipstreaming, late braking and corner exit speed on Balaton Park’s flowy layout. Sarapuech’s early aggression paid dividends in track position but her pace faded slightly in the closing laps, allowing Ramos to press. Neila’s consistency kept her within striking distance, resulting in a photo-finish margin of tenths. Herrera, despite settling for third, managed the points damage with a composed ride that prioritized championship control over risky maneuvers in the final moments.
Official results, fastest lap and top finishers
The top six at the end of Race 2 reflected a mix of seasoned front-runners and rising names. The classified podium read: 1) Paola Ramos (Klint Racing Team), 2) Beatriz Neila (Ampito Crescent Yamaha) +0.227s, 3) Maria Herrera (Terra & Vita GRT Yamaha WorldWCR) +0.241s. Completing the top six were Muklada Sarapuech (+2.715s), Roberta Ponziani (+10.429s) and Astrid Madrigal (+12.573s). Ramos also set the new fastest lap of the race with a 1’51.935, underlining the raw pace that carried her to victory.
Notable top-ten finishers
Beyond the podium, consistent performers enlarged their season narratives: Ponziani produced another strong top-five, Madrigal secured her best result since last season’s Cremona round, and Pakita Ruiz rounded out the top ten. Riders such as Lucie Boudesseul and Natalia Rivera showed competitive single-lap speed in pockets during the weekend, while Chloe Jones will return to development work after finishing just outside the top eight. American Mallory Dobbs completed the race in 21st, marking a challenging day for her team.
Championship implications and momentum shifts
The result tightened and clarified the title picture. Maria Herrera remains the championship leader on 131 points, holding a 14-point advantage over Beatriz Neila who sits on 117 points. Paola Ramos moves up to third in the standings with 86 points following her second win of the season. Roberta Ponziani, Muklada Sarapuech and Natalia Rivera currently occupy the next slots in the table with 76, 58 and 49 points respectively. Ramos’ late-race success injects momentum into her campaign and closes some of the gap to the leaders, but the championship remains an open contest.
Qualifying and free practice recap
Session form largely predicted the weekend narrative. In Free Practice Maria Herrera topped the timing sheets with a 1:54.179, hinting at strong race pace. During Superpole the Colombian converted that speed into pole with a 1:52.264, breaking the existing circuit benchmark and putting pressure on her rivals. The session was interrupted by a red flag after Emily Bondi’s crash, and both Paola Ramos and Roberta Ponziani experienced late exits from the session, with Ramos crashing out of a potential faster lap and Ponziani holding onto her P3 time despite a fall.
As the championship moves on from Balaton Park, teams will analyze data, refine setup and prepare for the next rounds. Fans can follow the latest updates and highlights through the official WorldWCR channels and social platforms to track how this shaken-up championship battlefield evolves.