WMX heads to penultimate Round 4 at MXGP of Spain this weekend with Dutch rider Nancy van de Ven holding commanding points lead of 131 over fellow compatriot’s Lynn Valk on 119 and Shana van der Vlist on 115. With total results of 2nd, 1st, 2nd, 2nd, 6th, and 1st, Nancy has displayed confidence in her ability to face challenges head on against stellar line-up of competition from equally determined riders.
Making their own performances count on track, Lynn and Shana have near perfected starts, throttle control, and passing along with eliminating mistakes with Shana winning Race 1 at previous Round at Sardegna and Lynn setting bench-mark by nailing 3 wins and 2 lots of 2nd’s this season.
Crucially, a lot is at stake racing Round 4 at Intu Xanadu-Arroyomolinas for only the 2nd time in WMX Championship’s 18th year, with 2021 WMX at Spain resulting in Courtney Duncan taking the overall win ahead of Nancy and WMX 6x Champion Kiara Fontanesi in 3rd.
Yes, the flowing, hard pack track will suit many, most notably 4th, 5th, and 6th placed riders- Larissa Papenmeier, Honda 114 Motorsports debut rider Martine Hughes and Belgium’s Amandine Verstappen. But also, the talented Spanish rider Daniela Guillen who notched up 3-3 at the previous Round in Sardegna 2 weeks prior.
With 29 riders entered on paper, including the return of defending WMX Champion Courtney Duncan, Qualifying at pointy end will give top contenders edge for gate pick over eager riders willing to prove their worth against the best women Motocross riders in the world.
No doubt when push comes to shove these elite female athletes will not back down- and rightly so. It takes massive amount of everything to get these women to race WMX Championship, to fulfil potential of each and every rider from one season to the next.
Definitely, this weekend’s race will stretch all sense of determination to nail standings on points table. And, with final WMX Round 5 a heck of a long wait on September 4 in Turkey, battle will surely be one to watch come gate drop on Sunday.
WMX Round 4 at MXGP of Spain, May 29. Header photo: Nancy van de Ven Image: MXGP
Words: Sharon Cox.
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