Tayla Relph escapes serious injury after scary Assen crash

Aussie WorldWCR rider to undergo medical checks after Turn 1 red-flag crash, but hopes to return for Race 2

Tayla Relph has escaped serious injury after a terrifying crash brought WorldWCR Race 1 at Assen to a halt, with the Full Throttle Racing rider caught up in a Turn 1 incident that led to a red flag and a shortened restart.

The opening race of the weekend was stopped after Relph and three other riders went down in an incident at the first corner. including Emily Bondi (FT Racing Academy), Pakita Ruiz (PR46+1 Racing Team), Line Vieillard (FT Racing Academy). Relph was taken to the medical centre and did not participate in the full-distance restart after debris was cleared from the track. She was diagnosed with contusions on her left ankle and foot, and will be reviewed before Sunday morning’s Warm Up. Yvonne Cerpa (MotosCerpa-Gradara Corse) was given an irresponsible riding double long lap penalty for causing the incident.

Relph said the crash was the result of a chain reaction that can develop instantly in the pack at the opening corner. “Nothing good will come from a rider being bottomed out and on the inside curb going into Turn 1.” she said. “I understand no rider intentionally takes out another and this could happen to anyone, but it’s just the frustrating part of our sport, especially when the consequences are being run over by multiple bikes.”

When the action resumed, Maria Herrera (Terra & Vita GRT) and Beatriz Neila (Ampito Crescent Yamaha) went head-to-head in a tense sprint to the flag, Herrera sealing victory with a late move into the chicane on the final lap to win by just 0.083 seconds. A later last-chicane incident saw Ramos crash out and take other riders with her, allowing Roberta Ponziani (Klint Racing Team) to claim third. Chloe Jones (Monster Energy Crescent) finished fourth and Muklada Sarapuech (EEST NUT Racing) took fifth, ahead of Natalia Rivera in sixth, Astrid Madrigal in seventh and Karolina Danak in eighth. Yvonne Cerpa (MotosCerpa-Gradara Corse) was also handed a time penalty after ignoring a double long-lap penalty, dropping her to 17th.

For Relph, the crash has also complicated her prospects for Sunday. She will start Race 2 from 10th on the grid as a result of not completing a lap in Race 1.

The setback was made more frustrating by Relph’s pace earlier in the weekend. Despite failing to complete a lap in Race 1, her Superpole time remains the fourth-fastest overall, quick enough to have placed her fourth on the grid on outright speed and underlining what might have been possible without the Turn 1 incident.

Despite being sore and facing medical clearance, Relph remains determined to try to race. “Hopefully another shot at it tomorrow,” she said. “A good recovery tomorrow and we will do the medical checks needed to have clearance to line up on the grid.” Thanking those who helped her after the crash, Relph added: “Thank you to the marshals and mobile clinica… let’s see tomorrow. Good thing Aussie’s are built tough, and I’ll do whatever I need to do to pass medical.”

ASSEN WORLDWCR RACE 1