Larissa Papenmeier is on fire, fit as anything and on a mission to gain top step of Women MX World Championship podium having finished 2nd Overall at WMX Round 3 at Czech Republic at the weekend.
The seasoned German has plenty of experience to draw upon when faced with stiff competition from Red Plate holder Courtney Duncan along with Overall 2nd place Nancy Van de Ven. Capped with fire in the belly to beat her own Championship standings of 4th in 2017 and 3rd in 2018, #423 stands just 3 points shy of 2nd Overall with 2 Rounds to go.
What has made the difference to Papenmeier’s fight up-front: 1) change to Yamaha 2) belief in self 3) training and focus on crucial areas to up her game come racing.
And, all above has worked, with Larissa going 4-2 and nailing Race 2 hole-shot at end of long up-hill start straight which caught a few out in Opening moto.
Right from Timed practice Larissa zeroed in on goal- P2 was great for race gate-pick coupled with confidence of knowing track given full-gate on start line.
# 423: ‘Timed Practice went ok. I was struggling to get a fast lap right at the beginning when we had free laps. But going with second into the races was good for me’.
Even still, hic-cups occurred pre-and-during racing. Just goes to show, no matter how planned, prepared and executed plans are, things can go wrong. And then it comes down to how rider’s react.
#423: ‘In the first moto I had some bike problems which already started right behind the gate. That’s why I was far back and had to catch-up some places’.
‘Unfortunately I had some more problems during the race which cost me a place and important time. But ending up 4th was better than a DNF’.
‘The second Race was way better. I got the holeshot and managed to finish second for second Overall. I was happy with my riding and we know what to work on for the next WMX Round at Imola’.
Gains a plenty, as Larissa pushes outside comfort zone for all valuable points- sole reason for not giving in when bike stalls losing hard-earned postion on track. And Imola has proved successful in the past with Larissa going 3-3 at same venue-Final WMX 2018.
Let’s see what #423 can do for WMX Round 4 at Imola 2019!
Words: Sharon Cox.
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