Lynn Valk takes double moto victory at 2022 Women Motocross World Championship at MXGP of Portugal in the weekend with fellow Dutch rider Nancy Van de Ven claiming 2nd step of the podium and Germany’s Larissa Papenmeier rounding out top 3. From Free practice, to qualifying to Race 1 and 2, riders ramped up expectation on who will take out the 18th WMX Championship, pitting seasoned pro’s of Duncan, Van de Ven and Papenemier against the talents of Valk, Sara Andersen, and Martine Hughes.
Undoubtedly, the impressive 1-1 result for Valk marks significant milestone in the 19 year old’s racing career, and more importantly emphasizes how determined Lynn is to realize long-time goal of winning her first WMX Championship. Focused on racing with just enough aggression to get-and-hold front position, Lynn executed stellar performance in both motos.
Valk set best lap time of 1.57.728 in Race 1 with following 3 riders all within 1 second: Nancy posting 1.58.714, Lare at 158.410 and Sara Andersen at 158.819. Race 2 WMX Opener on Sunday had riders contend with ripped and watered track with Valk leading the charge on Nancy on Lap One and never looking back until crossing the finish line on Lap 12.
The change up front also highlights new story emerging on how WMX riders are managing racing the 6 Round Series which spans from March to September, with gaps of 4, 6, and 12 weeks between Rounds. Refined strategies on how to maintain physical performance over 6 months, has challenged each rider from a mental perspective, to be ready to deliver best possible result on mere 6 weekends of the year.
The task remains all consuming for a rider to not peak too early on levels of fitness, to pivot around obstacles that may occur during training and racing, and to remain in the moment on 6 Saturday’s and 6 Sunday’s when a rider had been away from GP circuit for 4-6-12 weeks.
For sure, experience racing WMX and learning what works and what doesn’t each time a rider lines up at MXGP gate helps develop management of rider’s performance, and so to does verve- that holy grail called passion- on inching closer to long-term goal- as in the case of Valk.
For WMX riders passion runs through their veins, matching a mind set on what each rider wants to achieve. Having succumbed to crash in Free Practice, Van de Ven met the challenge of minimizing feeling sore with delivering 2-2 result for 2nd Overall. Lare re-placed disappointment on finishing 8th Overall in WMX Opening Round at Mantova, with pulling off fine result of 3-4 to claim 4th Overall in current Championship standings.
Focused on making each and every point count, Shana van der Vlist pulled off nice 6-3 result, currently standing 3rd in rankings, with Amandine Verstappen and Danish rider Malou Jakobsen slotting in 5th and 6th Overall. Team 114 Honda Motorsports rider Tahlia O’Hare delivered super performance finishing 5th in Race 2 and moving up to 7th on table, along with Martine Hughes learning the ropes of WMX racing, placed 6th with 4 Rounds to go.
Incident in Free Practice for defending 2021 WMX Champion Courtney Duncan meant no racing for the weekend. Bitter blow for the Kiwi who longs to secure another Title win. Yes, mega amount of points have been lost, injury will need recovery, and also valuable time off the bike. But, CD has endured all of this before.
In 2016, Duncan sustained injury in WMX Round 3 at Teutschenthal Race 1 which meant no racing for the following 2 Rounds. CD came back, raced the final 2 Rounds, won both and boosted her self belief that mind over whichever happens works.
Without a doubt, WMX riders are rare breed past-present and future. Passion raises the bar on what to achieve, mentality dictates outcomes, and desire to reach top step of dias remains the ultimate prize for all.
WMX Round 3, MXGP of Sardegna on May 15th. Header photo: WMX Round 2 podium, Credit: MXGP.
Words: Sharon Cox.
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