10 years on – key decisions made for professional and personal growth – MXLink. 2016 was a big year, making the bold call to cover Courtney Duncan racing the Opening Round of Women’s Motocross World Championship in Qatar on debut. The decision proved invaluable, not only did Duncan win the overall going 1-1 but windows of opportunity opened to further develop production of content in visual and written form.
Definitely, there was plenty to learn filming at MXGP of Qatar, yet the principle remained the same – film interviews pre-and-post racing with Courtney, take photos, edit content and upload to viewer’s back home in NZ including TVNZ Sports News who broadcast the story the following day. With 7 Rounds in ‘016, CD’s win took WMX rider’s and Media by surprise with her raw speed on track pushing the competitive class to equal her performance and Media scrambling to get face-time with the 20 year old kiwi rider.
The scope and scale of producing visual and written content on WMX extended audience reach world-wide, prompting speaking with WMX rider’s whose determination to win the Championship was equal to Courtney’s. With CD succumbing to an unfortunate incident in Round 3 side-lining the NZ’der for 2 Rounds, the battle for supremacy was open once again, making for exciting Media coverage.
Clearly, the performance of defending WMX Champion in 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015 – Kiara Fontanesi – was watched closely by viewer’s track-side, especially as the Italian had switched to Honda after racing with Yamaha for the past 7 seasons. Given the status Kiara held on track and in the paddock, it was surprisingly refreshing to interview Kiara post Race 2 at the Final Round in Assen, after Kiara had finished the season in P4 overall. Kiara was not the least bit annoyed that a kiwi rider had upturned the hierarchy of WMX table-board, quite the opposite in fact, #8 relished the challenge to ramp up her level of racing to win another 2 Titles in 2017 and 2018.
All of which highlights that the competitiveness between WMX rider’s has fueled improved performances on the track – which can and has been captured on camera. Speaking to Media pre-and-post racing along with images and race footage tells the story of how each rider embraced the challenges of racing WMX including all frustrations and elations encountered along the way. The final result of French rider – Livia Lancelot – winning the Championship after taking her first WMX Title in 2008, confirms that the roller coaster journey exists from one season to the next.
From covering CD at WMX of Qatar in February 2016 to the Final Round at Assen in late August, 3 main take-outs emerged, influencing how production of content would be sustainable, increasing viewer engagement for years to come. #1: capture moments that matter on and off the track in visual and written form. #2: remain open to new, creative processes which prompt curiosity by viewer’s and fans alike. #3: stay transparent in all communications, follow through, and be proud of all work completed.
Header photo: WMX Round 7 Race 1 at Assen, Netherlands. Image: MXGP.
Words: Sharon Cox.
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