It’s been long time coming- in fact some 5 months since fans watched Women MX World Championship riders race. And, finally at the Opening Round of 2020 Italian Senior Motocross Championship at the weekend, we all received glimpse on what is to come when WMX resumes in 4 weeks time.
Qualifying pole position was MXFonta Racing Kiara Fontanesi from Fransesca Nocera with team-mate Nancy Van de Ven Ghidinelli Racing rounding out top 3. Mere 1 second split the top 3, odds were that racing would be close. And it was.
Leading both Race 1 and 2, Kiara nailed R1 win in scorching temperatures reaching 40 degrees on Saturday, to be passed on last corner in R2, finishing 1-2 for 2nd Overall.
Kiara: ‘Even though I lost Race 2, I am very happy with how I feel both physically and with the bike. Above all, I went back to having fun like when I was racing in the world’s for the first few years. Although race 2 is hard to digest, we go home happy and satisfied with the pace and the departures’.
As to how close Nancy pushed Kiara to take the Overall win- results were- Nancy R2 18.28.027, Kiara 18.28.652 and Francesca 19.08.344 taking 3rd Overall.
Nancy: ‘It was a difficult track, and I battled to find good lines. On Saturday I battled a bit, but on race day it all came to me. Conditions were tough, with temperatures reaching 40 degrees on Saturday and 35 degrees on Sunday. I started the last lap with a deficit of five seconds. I gave it my all, and passed Kiara in the last corner to take the win’.
Having made the switch to Ghidinelli Racing along-side team-mate Francesca Nocera, Nancy has gained boost in confidence heading into WMX Round 3 on September 6-7th. With 5 points separating each of the top 3 WMX Women: Courtney Duncan on 90, Larissa Papenmeier on 85, Kiara on 80 and Nancy on 78 points- there is little room for error.
With only 2 WMX Rounds slotted in for this season- every opportunity to gain race-time will be invaluable, as all 3 Women: Kiara, Nancy and Francesca proved at Castellerano last weekend.
Words: Sharon Cox.
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