Nancy van de Ven shares her thoughts on racing 2022 WMX Championship heading into final Round at MXGP of Turkey this weekend. Nailing a truly sensational season of posting two wins, four seconds, a third and sixth place from eight races, Nancy edges ever so close to holding the illustrious trophy leading the points table with 2 motos to go.
If there was one stand out fact about Nancy, it would have to be her sheer resilience to fight on no matter what challenges occur both on and off the track. From being oh-so-close to claiming overall win, Nancy has finished runner-up WMX Vice Champion in 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021.
In what must be described as roller coaster ride over course of 10 years racing Women Motocross World Championship, Nancy has experienced it all. The nail biting finish in 2020 where Nancy was tied in points for the overall win with Courtney Duncan at the final round, only to take second on count-back.
And, to come-back and race after serious injury, as in case of fracturing leg at end of 2017 to line up on the gate in April 2018, speaks volumes on how deep Nancy digs to achieve her ultimate goal of winning WMX Championship Title.
There have been plenty of stellar moments to reflect on how Nancy has navigated the highs and disappointments of racing WMX, as witnessed by MXLink over number of years. Watching Nancy take the win at 2016 WMX Final Round, Race 2 at Assen was surreal, given the Dutch rider was up against tough competition with Livia Lancelot claiming the Title for the second time.
Having nailed 4 race wins in 2016, Nancy confirmed she was top contender for overall victory claiming double moto wins at 2017 WMX Round 5 at Assen, only to succumb to defeat finishing runner-up to Kiara Fontanesi at 2018 WMX Final Round going 1-2 to Kara’s 2-1.
7 podiums in 2019 WMX, followed by 3 wins in 2020 to post equal points of 207 in Final Round pushed the likeable rider to the limit on what it would take to nail ever illusive overall WMX Title. 2021 WMX season produced mix bag of pointy end results, with good friend Francesca Nocera reminding Nancy to race like she trains in practice.
On the eve of 2022 WMX Final Round in Turkey, Nancy shares what has made a difference in her performance on the track this season heading into her final 2 races leading points table on 173 with Lynn Valk second on 148, and Shana Van der Vlist on 135.
Nancy: ‘Leading the WMX Championship is of course my ultimate goal, and now I’m so close to reaching this goal I can keep training really easily because I am super motivated and really want to take the Women MX World Title. The big difference in my performance this season, I think comes from my mind-set because I started to enjoy the riding, travel, the atmosphere instead of just focusing so much on only trying to win and take as many points as possible.
‘For sure, it has been pretty devastating to finish WMX runner-up five times, but I have a goal in my life and I’m so close to reaching that, I just want to win that Title one time, so bad. That’s why I never give up because it’s in my head, it’s my dream and I know I have it in me to do it. Be there every time to race, every year, get back up and fight for it again. This year it could work out in a positive way for me, and I hope for that so much’.
WMX Round 5 at MXGP of Turkey on September 4
Header photo: Nancy van de Ven Image: MXGP
Words: Sharon Cox.
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