Larissa Papenmeier is stepping up to the plate big time, not only ready to race 2020 Women MX World Championship but managing her Team of WMX riders under Yamaha Racing 423 – new initiative for new decade.
In what is first WMX Race Team for Germany, Larissa with support from Yamaha Germany and selected sponsors will line-up 22 year-old Alicia Reitze on YZ 250F in all WMX Rounds along with competing in Germany’s DMV MX Ladies Cup.
Equally important is Lare’s committment to fostering training and preparation of future WMX riders which includes taking on board 14 year old Jade Pisano who will contest DMV MX Ladies Cup under Yamaha Racing 423.
All steps actioned confirms the direction Women MX riders are making to secure their MX careers, as seen by Livia Lancelot owner and manager of Team Honda 114 Motorsports within MXGP Championship.
Larissa has made most of time during off-season to make all preparations necessary for debut performance of Team riders in 2020 sesaon along with her own committment to cement top results having finished 3rd Overall in 2019 WMX Championship.
#423: ‘My preparations have been going really well. We haven’t had to change too much on the bike, so I have had a lot of bike time. I’m feeling good and I know we have a good set up. I’m definitely ready for the Opening Round!’
And surprisingly, Larissa has not raced WMX Round at Matterley Basin, though is no stranger to WMX Round 2 at Valkenswaard the following weekend. Stats prove otherwise, Lare has ability to nail top performance on any track surface- as proved in taking 2018 WMX Opening Round win at Trentino along with consistent result of 3-3 at 2019 WMX Round 1 at Valkenswaard GP.
#423: ‘Yes I haven’t been to Matterley before but I’ve heard it’s a nice track. I love big jumps and when the track gets technical. The focus will be to stay on the bike as the season is long. I have trained a lot in the sand but I think it will be good for Matterley as well’.
With full WMX gate line-up including Yamaha Racing 423 Alicia Reitze running #12 plate, pumped even further with overseas riders from Australia and America, Larissa and newly formed Team are rearing to go.
#423: ‘For sure the WMX Series has increased a lot and in a good way. Its always nice to see girls coming over from overseas. I guess it makes it more interesting to compare yourself and others with girls all over the world. So nice to see that the WMX gets bigger and also more attention. I think you just have to promote it the right way’.
‘Definitely I feel more comfortable this year. I have worked on gaining a lot of strength and power which has improved my self-confidence. This year I’m 100 steps more in front of where I was starting this time last year’.
WMX Opening Round: Matterley Basin March 1st. Header Photo: Larissa Papenmeier Yamaha Racing 423 Photo Credit: YVYPYX.
Words: Sharon Cox.
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