WMX Round 2 at MXGP of Spain this weekend – what to expect? Defending WMX Champion – Lotte van Drunen – tops the table board with 50 points having won the Opening Round in Sardegna on April 6 with Shana van der Vlist edging out fellow Dutch rider – Lynn Valk – both on 42 points having finished 3-2 to Valk’s 2-3.
Remarkably, the trifecta of Dutch rider’s on the podium speaks volumes on the committment and determination of all 3 women to achieve pointy end results. Lotte only recently recovered from an ankle injury sustained at the end of last season and Shana has come back from an injury set-back which occurred mid-way through ‘024 and forced her to watch the final 3 Rounds track-side. Lynn was so close to nailing P3 overall in the final Round at Turkey in 2024, when a mechanical issue took away any chance to savoir the moment in Race 1.
Undoubtedly, Spain’s star-on-the-track – Daniela Guillen will have plenty of motivation to rectify her results after losing the front wheel while leading R1 at Sardegna 5 weeks ago. With Daniela’s pace nothing short of extraordinaire on the sands of Riola Sardo, the switch to hard pack will test Daniela’s resilience to run up front again, in front of a mass of cheering fans track-side.
The battles for gaining the ever important gap from gate-drop to hole-shot will be uppermost on all rider’s minds – especially Danish rider Sara Andersen, Italy’s WMX Champion 6x – Kiara Fontanesi, Martine Hughes, French Women’s MX Champion – Amandine Verstappen, Danee Gelissen, and German Women’s MX Champion – Larissa Papenemier. With only 10 points separating these rider’s from P4 to P10, times in Free Practice and Qualifying on Saturday will define who gets best gate pick for Race 1 and 2.
With 37 women entered in WMX Round 2 at MXGP of Spain, representing 14 nationalities, focus will be paramount given there are only 6 Rounds this season. Gaining maximum points will be key, minimizing mistakes will be advantageous, and drawing on self-discipline on and off the track will produce optimum results for those wanting to stand on the top step of the podium on Sunday.
WMX Round 2 at MXGP of Spain on May 10 – 11. Header photo: Daniela Guillen image: @jpacevedophoto
Words: Sharon Cox.
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