Countdown to Final Round of 2022 Women Motocross World Champion has begun – who will be crowned? Heading to Round 5 of 5 at MXGP of Turkey, the world’s best women MX riders will line-up for the last time this season to determine the 18 edition WMX Title.
Holding the Red Plate on 173 points is Dutch rider Nancy van de Ven with nice buffer of 25 points over fellow rider Lynn Valk on 148. Third top 3 Dutch rider Shana Van der Vlist fights off Germany’s Larissa Papenmeier with mere 3 points separating them, 135 to 132.
Standing 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th Overall with 2 races to go are Belgium’s Amandine Verstappen on 102, Danish rider Sara Andersen posting 100, Italian Ceres 71 Racing rider Giorgia Blasigh on 96, with Team Honda 114 rider Martine Hughes on 95.
Rounding out top 10 overall is Spanish sensation Daniela Guillen who took amazing Round 4 Race 2 victory in Spain gaining her first ever podium finish, along with Australian and fellow Team Honda 114 rider Tahlia O’Hare 2 points below on 83. Defending WMX Champion Courtney Duncan holds 11th place overall, having been forced out of Rounds 2 and 3 due to injury.
For certain, 2022 WMX season has delivered racing which ramps up all anticipation on who will cross the finish line first. So much so, there has been no foregone conclusions on winner takes all, with NZ’s 3x WMX Champion crashing in practice before racing in Round 2 at Portugal causing the Kiwi to recover track-side for the next 2 Rounds.
Having established her presence on track many times over – nailing WMX Vice-Champion 5x- Nancy van de Ven has been hell-bent on making this season count starting with Opening Round win at Mantova in March. Showing self-belief on track, Nancy proved force to be reckoned with pressing talented rider Lynn Valk to the finish, going 2-1 to Lynn’s 1-2.
Consistency has been key for Nancy posting 7 podiums from 8 races, taking 2 race wins heading into the Final Round at Afyon, Turkey on September 4. Previous WMX races at the notably hard pack track has delivered 3rd podiums for Nancy in 2019 and 2021 with Courtney Duncan and Sara Andersen taking top 2 steps in WMX Final Round in ‘019, and Duncan repeating the performance winning in Turkey in 2021 with WMX 6x Champion Kiara Fontanesi taking 2nd.
With total of 11 Nationalities entered in 2022 WMX Championship, and 28 women riders lining up on the gate this weekend, all eyes will be watching who will withstand the pressure to cross the finish line victorious. True, the challenge to maintain physical fitness, mental focus and technical prowess throughout a long-stretched out season, particularly covering the gap between Round 4 on May 29 to Final Round 5 a total of 14 weeks later, has been endured by all.
And true, the startling racing by seasoned and up-coming talent has edged out all predictions that WMX results are based on who-ever gets the hole-shot wins the race. Credit goes to the younger riders who have learnt and pushed their own capabilities to challenge the seasoned pro’s as in the case of Daniela winning Round 4 Race 2 over Duncan.
In uncertain times of banking on sustainability of Women in Motorsport receiving support, investment and financial backing, WMX remains the pinnacle of disciplines whereby women can aim for entry, right from grass roots Motocross to World Championships. Long may WMX continue.
Wishing all WMX riders the very best for 2022 WMX Final Round at MXGP of Turkey on September 4.
Header photo: Nancy Van de Ven Image: MXGP.
Words: Sharon Cox.
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