Larissa Papenmeier raced MX2 at MXGP of China finishing an amazing 16th Overall in all out male class competing in Final Round of 18 at the new MXGP venue at Shanghai.
Realising long-term goal to race MXGP premier 250 class, Larissa embraced the opportunity to line-up against the world’s best MX2 riders- 2019 MX Champion Jorge Prado, Thomas Kjer Olsen, Tom Vialle, Jago Geerts to name top 5. Having just finished 3rd Overall in 2019 Women MX World Championship previous weekend in Turkey, #423 was well prepped to round off 2019 on a high.
Putting the fun factor at top of list, plus enjoying experience of seeing few sights in Shanghai- namely eyeing different foods-transport-and-how-to-get-to-track? Larissa, family and crew took on board the challenge of being only Woman to race MX2 since Italian Kiara Fontanesi competed in the same class at MXGP of Valkenswaard in 2017.
And Larissa didn’t disappoint. Hauling out of start-gates, #423 meant business racing with speed to first corner, not only surprising herself at speed to hole-shot, but also making most of what the Yamaha rider can achieve outside own WMX comfort zone.
I caught up with Larissa after she returned back home in Germany, asking how the whole experience went racing MX2, what were her expectations and was she pleased with banking points in MX2 table standings on debut GP Round against world- class male dominated field.
Film edit interview via skype, race footage MXGP-TV and photographs of Larissa’s Brand sponsors provided by Lare.
Words: Sharon Cox.
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