KIWI RIDER MAY 2018 VOL.2 | Page 15

N LEADS WMX perfection Photo: www.mxgp.com pinned it around the outside of Duncan for 2nd. After two laps of patiently sliding around in the mud, Duncan found some lines that worked well and set the fastest lap of the race before executing a text book pass on Fontanesi by charging up the inside and pushing her wide. The ‘Kiwi Girl’ then went on to chip away at the lead of Papenmeier and eventually made a pass by pinning it around the outside line. Papenmeier did get squirly, which made for a heart-stopping moment as the two rubbed plastic. Fortunately, they both managed to keep their bikes on two-wheels with Duncan asserting her place at the front of the field. Wet conditions always make for an interesting race and more often than not, it’s a battle of survival. Fontanesi & van de Ven both stayed out of trouble and put in strong rides to finish 3rd and 4th, respectively, which was enough to give van de Ven her first podium finish of 2018, with 3rd overall. As the clear-cut fastest rider, Courtney Duncan was masterful on the wet and muddy clay. Having won three races, from four, this season, she will go into the third round of the championship with a three-point lead over Larissa Papenmeier. The next round of the FIM Women’s Motocross World Championship will take place in Teutschenthal, Germany on the weekend of May 20. KIWI RIDER 15