Women MX World Championship heads into Round 3 at MXGP of Loket in 7 days time with NZ’s Courtney Duncan holding the Red Plate on 89 points ahead of Dutch rider Nancy van de Ven on 85 with Germany’s Larissa Papenmeier 3 points shy on 82.
Close- yes! Break-down on what will make or break points difference between top 10 Women- 1: focus over long 10 week gap from WMX Round 2, 2: race time vs no race time in gap weeks 3: young up-coming talent keen to race up front 4: hard-pack track.
Current Red Plate holder Courtney Duncan made decision to return to NZ in 2 month break- meaning training away from Euro circuit, away from Euro’s summer, and mile-away from measuring motos/lap-times against peers.
Yet, this is Duncan’s forte. #151 excells at setting her own agenda, knowing exactly where she stands in terms of speed on track, knowing when push comes to shove needs to happen- all so far away from actual Euro race scene.
No Fear Yamaha rider Nancy van de Ven has put head down, maintained focus, clocking up hours on bike along with win at French Women MX Championship Round at Moto-club St die Vosges, Race 1, after claiming qualifying pole position by 1.4 seconds.
With win in Race 2 at 2019 WMX Opening Round at Valksenswaard, followed by consistent 3-2 at Agueda, Van de Ven will surely capitalise on previous race experience on the hard-pack circuit of Czech Replublic, having gained 3rd podium at same venue in 2017.
Gemany’s Larissa Papenmeier has kept busy schedule. More to the point, Larissa has thrived on tightly packed time-table from racing in French Women MX Championship and taking Round win at St die Vosges, racing against MX2 at home, competing in Gemans Ladies Cup along with attending signing session at MXGP of Teutschenthal.
Standing 3rd Overall in WMX Championship, posting consistent 3-3-2-3 results, #423 has set high bench mark this year, with aim to get that win. Papenmeier’s starts will be key.
Newly crowned 2019 French Women MX Champion Amandine Verstappen has plenty of momentum to carry through to WMX Round 3 in Loket next weekend. Having won the prestigous French Title with Round to spare, Verstappen is more than happy with result, all the while moving on to focus on WMX remaining Rounds.
Not surprisngly the third top WMX Yamaha rider enjoys Loket’s hard-pack circuit having taken Race 2 win at same venue in 2017, raising stakes yet again on closing points gap with Amandine currently standing 4th Overall in WMX Champiosnhip.
If there are spoilers in top pecking order it will be young talented riders of KTM’s Shana van der Vlist and Sara Andersen, plus put in mix Yamaha’s Lynn Valk and Honda’s Line Dam– not to mention WMX Champion 4x Steffi Laier is also lining up on gate.
The younger riders have certainly focused on gaining as much race-time, experience and racing knowedge as possible in between WMX Rounds with all making presence in racing EMX Women Championship Rounds. Van der Vlist was most impressionable with 2nd Overall in EMX 5 Round Series, with Valk and Line Dam finishing 3rd and 4th respectively.
Valk has to be taken seriously. At just 16 years of age, #172 is keen, eager to race and mix it up front with seasoned WMX riders. Lynn stands 5th Overall and produced nice 4-5 result at Agueda.
Most notable in EMX Women Championship was Sara Andersen’s convincing 1-1 win at Round 3 at Slagelse, with the Danish rider capping another 1-2 result at Round 4 at Reutlingen.
One has to admire WMX Champion 4x Steffi Laier. Not only did Steffi put throttle down and clinch 2019 EMX Women Championship Title, the courageous German puts paid to the saying that if it’s all about passion- anything is achievable. For Steffi it’s all about ‘where there is a will there is a way’.
American Avrie Berry has to be noted for stellar contribution in what has to be tough as schedule. Avrie has raced 3 Women Championships in 2 continents, under 2 Race Teams- winning 2 so far: Triple Crown Arena Cross and Women’s West MX Nationals in Canada. Back in Europe, Avrie settles into training for WMX remaining Rounds and currently stands in 16th place.
In real terms, WMX Championship Series is loaded with talented racers. Whose on top is next up on MXGP calendar at Czech Republic circuit of Loket on July 27th, 28th.
Header Photo Courtney Duncan Photo Credit: Courtney.
Words: Sharon Cox.
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