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Francesca Nocera shares her thoughts on claiming P2 overall in Women’s Enduro GP

Francesca Nocera Rounds 1 and 2 (2)

Francesca Nocera shares her thoughts on claiming P2 overall in Women’s Enduro GP after Rounds 1 and 2 in Portugal. Scoring a successful win in Stage 1 followed by P2 in Stage 2, the Italian rider ramped up her Championship standings to 60 points, heading into the remaining 3 Rounds in Italy, Wales and France from June through to September 13.

Francesca Nocera taking the win in Women’s Enduro GP Round 2 Stage 1 Image: Team

For Francesca, taking the illusive win in Stage 1 has been far a reaching goal having finished P3 in Women’s Enduro GP in 2023 and P11 in 2022. And, the follow-up P2 on Sunday, speaks loudly on how hard Francesca works to put together best possible performances on track, even when results can differ from one Round to the next.

Francesca: “‘It’s been an amazing weekend in Portugal! I was able to reach my goal and finally had my first victory at the Enduro GP! After many, many sacrifices, many come backs after problems, I’m living the dream, exactly how I want!

Roll back a number of years and the racing career of Francesca reveals a different story. First love was racing WMX with 2 podiums in Women MX World Championships, along with 4x Italian Women MX Championships, and recipient of the highest honour of Fiamme Oro. Then, came cruel twist of fate, when Francesca was diagnosed with a serious illness, amounting to long road of recovery to be back to full fitness on the bike.

Francesca Nocera competing in Women’s Enduro GP Round 1 Special Test Image: Team

MXLink spoke with Francesca during this period, gaining insight on how hard the challenge was to regain physical capabilities to race, while at the same time under-going treatment for recovery.

The facts provided stark reading and viewing as seen in the Film below, yet Francesca never declared a give-up mind set, never once let her situation compromise her support for good friend Nancy van Den racing WMX, and never succumbed to negativity that she would achieve steps forward to get back on the bike.

Making the transition to race Enduro GP was a big call. Totally different format of racing with short tests over and around obstacles under time, over the course of 3 days. Compared to racing gate line-up of rider’s in WMX, Francesca strengthened her resolve to accomplish skills to compete against competitive field in Women’s Enduro GP.

Francesca Nocera competing in Women’s Enduro GP Image: Team

Francesca: ‘”I think MX can help me in some parts of the tests but it’s totally different! I had to learn everything from the beginning because they are two different sports! I really like enduro. I’m that type of person who really likes to feel the sense of fatigue and in this sport I can feel it and have great satisfaction finishing every single race.

The most challenging aspect for me has been to learn the Extreme Tests. I’m still learning and improving on that. But I really love to ride my bike and every single time I’m riding I feel rewarded because there is no such feeling like freedom on a bike! I’m living the dream and I feel hungry for more!””
Competing in E-Xplorer Series 2024 as well, Francesca commands utmost respect, admiration, and accolades – not just for her victory at the weekend in Valpacos, Portugal, but for sharing her own personal and professional journey for all watching.

Film produced by MXLink on Francesca Nocera in 2020.

Words: Sharon Cox.

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