Sara Andersen enjoyed racing with mojo in place at Women MX World Championship Round 2 in Agueda last weekend going 5-4 for 4th Overall.
Not only did Sara make most of racing and winning EMX Women Round 3 in Slagelse, Denmark previous weekend to WMX Round 2, but the KTM racer put in practice extra experience gained on track- boosting self-confidence to battle up front with seasoned WMX riders: Courtney Duncan, Nancy Van de Ven and Larissa Papenmeier.
#325: ‘I have had the speed for a long time. It has just been hard for me to put it all together. I’m still struggling a bit with nerves, and in the first moto it was really bad and I didn’t feel comfortable at all’.
‘A few times last year I was able to make just as good results, and it’s on the days where I’m not too nervous and feel comfortable. So the key for me is to relax and believe in myself’.
Overcoming slight set-back in points at WMX Opener in Valkenswaard, Sara has made couragous decisions on what suits her best to ramp up race-craft: carefully selecting which in between races to compete in, what her training schedule will be, and how best to develop confidence on track.
In only 2nd full WMX sesaon, Andersen is surprise package. A rider who thinks strategically on how to race up-front, how to maintain fight to chequered and how to compete on tracks that are so very different from circuits back home in Denmark.
#325: ‘No matter if it’s sand or hardpack, my focus is the same. I do everything I can to make a good start, because it makes everything so much easier’.
‘And both my starts at Agueda were not the best but decent. I think I was around 5th in both motos. But I will always go for the holeshot. I have never had one at the World Championship, but hopefully I will have my first one soon’.
Knowing #325 has the ability to run up-front and beat EMX Women peers, gives additional advantage when planning training for next WMX Round. And, Sara knows what she is capable of- that in itself sustains all important confidence levels no matter which event, which race or against who.
#325: ‘The tracks and events of EMX to WMX are two very different things. So I don’t really know if it gives me a confidence boost, but it’s always nice to win and then I know I can beat the girls who are racing the European Championship’.
With 9 weeks before WMX Round 3 at Loket, Czech Replublic- what will Sara be focusing on?
#325: ‘I will keep working the same way, that I have done so far. More hours on the bike and in my running shoes. And then a lot of races, because it’s just different to race than to train!’
Words: Sharon Cox.
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