Fantastic milestones were reached by Women in Motorsport 2020 amid disruptions to racing, change to schedules along with no-go zones for public attendance to join in atmosphere and celebration of podium winners.
FIM Women Motocross World Championship kick-started season in March with Opening Round at Matterley Basin, UK. With full-gate line-up of the world’s best MX riders, including debut performance by America’s Jordan Jarvis, it was 2019 WMX defending Champion Courtney Duncan who wrestled the win from competitive riders Larissa Papenmeier and Kiara Fontanesi rounding out top 3.
Heading to WMX Round 2 at Valkenswaard the following weekend, the battle resumed with Papenemier taking the win over Fontanesi with Dutch star Nancy Van de Ven finishing 3rd on podium. Smart performances by Lynn Valk, Shana van der Vlist, Sara Andersen and Australian Taila O’Hara showed that young blood was on the rise to snatch victories when able.
COVID pandemic put paid to next WMX Rounds making fear of unknown uppermost in everyone’s minds, not least WMX riders wondering when or if racing would resume. Long wait, long-time adjusting to training schedule, and long list of health and safety factors to be ticked off before WMX Rounds 3-5 re-started at Mantova in September.
After winning Race 1, Courtney suffered all mighty crash, paving the way for rest of field to capitalize on incident. Larissa took Overall victory ahead of Nancy and Kiara only to un-do great result with Duncan winning WMX Round 4- same venue.
Final Round of Series at Trentino circuit proved pressure cooker for all WMX riders. NZ’s Courtney Duncan remained focused on result, taking her 2nd consecutive WMX Championship Title decided on count-back with Nancy Van de Ven tied on points. Congrats to all WMX riders, a great performance amid challenging year.
America’s Jordan Jarvis had tough time dealing with heaps of disruptions to plans, training schedules and racing having started the season competing in AMA SX Futures to gain sought after SX points for license. Making brave to decision to take up opportunity to race WMX Opening Round at Matterley Basin, Jordan experienced another learning curve switching from SX to MX in matter of a week.
If one character trait stands out, it is Jordan’s ability to roll with the punches, to side-step what is out of her control and instead focus on what she can do. All of which gained results. Jordan not only achieved points for AMA SX license but also gained cut for entry in AMA Pro Outdoors Championship 250 class at Florida, 2020.
Dakar Rally 2020 start on January 6th-17th proving beneficial in more ways than one. Not only had all planning, preparations and organization succeeded in racing the world’s most grueling Rally at new location in Saudi Arabia, but also gave rise to number of women competing in categories for first time.
Spanish rider Sara Garcia made Nation’s history of becoming the first female to complete The Dakar Rally 2020 in ‘Unassisted’ Bike category over course of 12 long, challenging Stages. Overcoming bitter disappointment from being forced to abandon same class in 2019, Sara proved might of courage, will and sheer determination pushed the Pont Grup Yamaha rider over the finish line.
South Africa’s Kirsten Landman and Taye Perry completed sensational rookie performances with both females finishing 2020 Dakar Rally Bike category in 55th and 77th places respectively. Nothing short of pure admiration for Kirsten who acknowledges she feels happier racing technical Extreme Enduro events while Taye deserves hero of The Dakar for bravely not folding when stuck in the desert during Stage 11. Taye finally received help, and arrived back to bivouac to resume racing Final Stage next day.
Legend’s Laia Sanz racing Bike category and Camelia Liporti competing in SSV put power of female character to the test with Laia finishing her 10th Dakar in 18th Overall and Camelia taking wild-card ‘The Dakar Experience’ after mechanical issues halted all other options to race. Camelia and co-pilot Annett Fischer crossed the finish line at Stage 12.
Dutch rider Mirjam Pol confirmed the significance of racing 7 Dakar’s with her undeniable sense of comradeship towards fellow competitors. It was tough Dakar for Mirjam, having experienced loss of 2 close friends in this year’s Rally. In context, competing in The Dakar was as much about sharing the passion for racing, as sharing experiences with fellow Dakar friends.
Recently launched WSeries – F3 single seater Championship for Women, hit real-time snag with COVID up-ending any chance of racing for year. Not to be out-done by major hiccup, WSeries organizers initiated WSeries ESports League for the 12 selected drivers based around the world. New experiences for many, racing via simulators, valuable learning curves none-the-less. Spanish driver Marta Garcia gained exceptional results finishing 2nd with Beitske Visser taking Overall win.
America’s Sabre Cook and Italy’s Vicky Piria took all year’s challenges in stride, all the while itching to race WSeries newly announced schedule for 2021- including partnering with F1 next season. Most definitely, WSeries has made serious in-roads to gain foot-hold as support racing with Formula 1 Championship for the future.
British FIM World Trials Women Champion Emma Bristow won her 8th consecutive Title in September 2020 over course of 3 Rounds. With Series shortened due to COVID, and finally resumed at venues in France, Spain and Portugal, Emma achieved amazing feat of winning 8 Championships with long-term partner Sherco Factory Racing. Equal cause for celebration was 2nd placed Sandra Gomez, who followed up podium finish at World Trails to become the first female to complete Red Bull Romaniacs Gold Class 2020.
New Zealand’s Rachael Archer pulled out all forces racing 2nd GNCC WXC season under AmPro Yamaha Racing 2020. Arriving in USA to race first 3 Rounds, then to return back home and wait out re-start of schedule, Rachael proved her staying power to deliver results with passion.
Pulling out a string of wins from Rounds 8 to 12, Rachael completed Series in 2nd position Overall. Not one to rest on her laurels, Rachael is now back home, ready to refresh over Xmas on farm, to come out ready to do battle come 2021 WXC season in couple of months time.
MXLink wishes everyone very best Xmas and happy New Year.
Words: Sharon Cox.
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