Roberta Ponziani Wins at Home in Breathtaking Final-Lap Move - WorldWCR Cremona Race 1 Report
- alicejukes
- May 3
- 3 min read
Updated: Jul 28
Race Start
With scorching 40-degree track temperatures setting the scene, Maria Herrera lined up on pole for Klint Forward Racing, alongside her teammate and home hero Roberta Ponziani. Astrid Madrigal completed the front row after a career-best qualifying in third, with Beatriz Neila and Sara Sanchez just behind on row two.
As the lights went out, Herrera stormed into the lead into Turn 1, while Ponziani slotted into second and staying there for the majority of the race. Neila (Ampito Crescent Yamaha) quickly moved into third, passing Madrigal with confidence, as Sanchez (Terra&Vita GRT Yamaha) followed closely behind.
Early Groups and Rising Tension
By the second lap, a large front group had formed: Herrera, Ponziani, Neila, Lewis, Madrigal, and Sanchez running closely together. Behind them, Chloe Jones led the second group, with Tayla Relph, Isis Carreño, and Pakita Ruiz right behind.
Crashes and Incidents
Ten laps from the end, disaster struck for Mallory Dobbs and Emily Bondi. Attempting an overtake for 11th, Dobbs collided with Bondi from behind, taking both riders out of the race. The incident is under review and may result in penalties for the rider found at fault.
Just a lap later, Jessica Howden suffered a violent high-speed crash at Turn 1. She walked away visibly injured, holding her collarbone, and was sent to the medical centre for checks. An update on her condition is still pending.
Front Three Break Away
With 9 laps remaining, the top trio of Herrera, Ponziani, and Neila broke clear of the rest. While positions remained unchanged, the tension grew with every lap. Ponziani shadowed Herrera relentlessly, and Neila stayed tucked in right behind.
Behind them, Sara Sanchez finally found a way past Avalon Lewis to lead the second group, as she attempted to bridge the gap to Neila. Further back, a tight third group formed with Ruiz, Jones, Relph, and Carreño all battling for positions 7 through 10.
Relph and Dal Zotto Make Moves
With three laps to go, Tayla Relph passed Jones for eighth, nearly pulling off a double move on Ruiz as well. A lap later, she successfully overtook Ruiz, taking over as leader of the third group and running in seventh. Meanwhile, wildcard Denise Dal Zotto impressed in 14th place—quietly putting in a composed ride on her WorldWCR debut.
The Final Lap – A Dream Delivered
As the last lap began, all eyes were on the front three. Neila edged closer to Ponziani, but the real story was unfolding between the Italian and her teammate. After staying glued to Herrera’s rear wheel for much of the race, Roberta Ponziani launched an incredible move in the final moments—diving through cleanly and decisively to snatch the lead from Herrera.
She held firm to the line, taking her first-ever WorldWCR victory—in front of a home crowd, in Cremona, in a race that felt written in the stars.
Top 5 – Race 1, Cremona:
1. Roberta Ponziani 🇮🇹
2. Maria Herrera 🇪🇸
3. Beatriz Neila 🇪🇸
4. Sara Sanchez 🇪🇸
5. Astrid Madrigal 🇲🇽
Chloe Jones was handed a post-race penalty for irresponsible riding, dropping her outside the top 10.
Three Races. Three Winners. One Phenomenal Start to 2025.
With Herrera, Neila, and now Ponziani each taking a win in the first three races, the 2025 WorldWCR season is already shaping up to be one of the most competitive and unpredictable yet. Neila and Herrera continue to impress with back-to-back podiums, while Ponziani becomes the second rider this season to claim a maiden victory.
This championship is no longer just about individual brilliance—it’s about depth, progress, and pure racing.
Congratulations, Roberta!
We’ve had the honour of interviewing Roberta Ponziani before here at Shift the Gears, and we’ve always admired her calm determination, professionalism, and quiet grit. To see her climb to the top step—in front of her home crowd, in her home country—is a moment we’ll never forget. She earned every second of it.
Eyes on Race 2
With momentum now on her side, can Ponziani go back-to-back? Will Herrera respond? Or is Neila lining up her next move? Cremona still has more stories to tell.
*All Pictures without credit are from the offical WorldSBK and WorldWCR media
Comments