Larissa Papenmeier increased her WMX Championship points standings to 2nd taking the Overall win at Women MX World Championship Round 2 on the deep sands of Valkenswaard circuit last weekend.
With already 2 WMX Rounds completed and 4 to go- Larissa wasted no time in claiming victory going 3-1 over the 2 day MXGP of Netherlands, battling through the wet, deep rutty lines on Saturday in Race 1 to nailing the hole-shot in Race 2 and leading from start to finish.
What was most impressive was consistency of speed racing the tough track conditions which caught many riders out not just in WMX. Carving her way through the field in Race 1, Larissa then went on to get great gate jump in Race 2 which was key for maintaining gap out front from a class of fiercely determined WMX riders, all vying for pointy end results.
Larissa: ‘Yes it was a great weekend. I had a good speed all weekend…free and time practice for me was still really tough but also fun’.
‘Race One I caught Fontanesi and Van de Ven in the last lap right before the finish. I passed Van de Ven and was next to Fontanesi. We came together and I came off the track and the bike was off so I only finished 3rd’.
‘But Race Two I got the hole-shot and I pulled a gap of 20 seconds. Which was a good feeling and good confidence for me!:) Every win is a special one and me and my team are really happy about that!
‘For sure a good start is the main factor to race up front. Race One I had a decent start. As I came into the deep mud in the first turn I lost some places…but with the hole-shot in Race Two it’s for sure easier to get a good rhythm’.
And Larissa has all intentions to keep the momentum flowing over next 5 weeks before WMX Round 3 in Spain. Having taken out the German Women’s MX Championship a number of times now, Lare is keen to put training and bike preparation to the test knowing WMX Round 3 will be game on again.
Larissa: ‘My focus will be on racing as much as I can. We have two German Championship races coming up and maybe I will practice a bit on my 125cc. I will see’.
No doubt, Lare has all experience necessary to know exactly what needs work, what will be focus, and what extra tweaks are needed to close that WMX Overall points gap- of just 5 points off leader.
WMX Round 3: MXGP of Spain April 18th-19th.
Words: Sharon Cox.
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