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Motocross

Nancy van de Ven Takes Women‰Ûªs Motocross World Championship Win in Italy

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Nancy van de Ven took her first win of the FIM Women‰Ûªs Motocross World Championship at the Ottobiano circuit in Italy.
Nancy van de Ven has taken her maiden win of the FIM Women‰Ûªs Motocross World Championship at the fourth round at the the Ottobiano circuit in Italy.

The Italian fans proudly watched as the defending champion, MXFONTARACING Yamaha‰Ûªs Kiara Fontanesi, fought her way to the podium at the home race against a handful of strong competitors. The spectator hill alongside the circuit was full of passionate and cheering fans both days adding to the close racing and Championship battles.


Saturday‰Ûªs Race 1 was led by the first round winner and former red plate holder Larissa Papenmeier but she was closely followed by Fontanesi. Current points leader, Altherm JCR Yamaha‰Ûªs Courtney Duncan was 3rd and Nancy van de Ven was right behind. At the end of the second lap however it was Fontanesi who took the lead from Papenmeier.

Duncan fell early in the race and had to work her way back forward but by lap 9 was closing on Van de Ven who felt the pressure and pushed to second in an attempt to put Papenmeier as a buffer. Duncan however not only passed Papenmeier but also found her way around Van de Ven. Duncan then charged up to the lead of Fontanesi and made a pass but Fontanesi was able to retake the spot then take the home race win over Duncan, Van de Ven, and Papenmeier with Shana van der Vlist in 5th.


Sunday‰Ûªs Race 2 was the first event on the track and while temperatures in general where higher, the earlier timing of the race helped keep the women cool. When the gate fell it was again Papenmeier who rocketed off of the start with all the contenders just behind.

Papenmeier had Duncan chasing her along with Van de Ven and Fontanesi in the top 4 the first lap. The 3 Yamaha riders pursued the Suzuki of Papenmeier for the first 5 laps but all three were able to shift the German back on lap 6.
The women fire into action at the fourth round of the FIM Women‰Ûªs Motocross World Championship. Photo: Youthstream
With Van de Ven in the lead Duncan kept applying the pressure and drove the pair forward creating a gap over Fontanesi and Papenmeier. Duncan was unable to pass Van de Ven in the end as the #85 took the race win with Duncan second, Fontanesi 3rd, and Papenmeier 4th.

In the Overall Van de Ven‰Ûªs 3-1 topped Fontanesi‰Ûªs 1-3, and Duncan‰Ûªs 2-2 while Papenmeier‰Ûªs consistent 4-4 resulted in 4th and Shana van der Vlist‰Ûªs 5-6 took the final spot in the top 5.

Duncan will head to the next round in Assen with a 21 point championship lead.
Kiara Fontanesi (left), round winner Nancy Van De Ven and Kiwi Courtney Duncan on the podium. Photo: Youthstream.
WMX Race 1 Top Ten:
1. Kiara Fontanesi (ITA, Yamaha), 24:05.068
2. Courtney Duncan (NZL, Yamaha), +0:03.108
3. Nancy Van De Ven (NED, Yamaha), +0:05.063
4. Larissa Papenmeier (GER, Suzuki), +0:05.555
5. Shana van der Vlist (NED, KTM), +0:31.104
6. Natalie Kane (IRL, Honda), +0:39.014
7. Amandine Verstappen (BEL, KTM), +0:40.853
8. Stephanie Laier (GER, KTM), +0:58.390
9. Line Dam (DEN, Honda), +1:02.724
10. Lynn Valk (NED, Yamaha), +1:22.757

WMX Race 2 Top Ten:
1. Nancy Van De Ven (NED, Yamaha), 24:06.675
2. Courtney Duncan (NZL, Yamaha), +0:00.884
3. Kiara Fontanesi (ITA, Yamaha), +0:14.166
4. Larissa Papenmeier (GER, Suzuki), +0:19.141
5. Amandine Verstappen (BEL, KTM), +0:34.690
6. Shana van der Vlist (NED, KTM), +1:00.422
7. Line Dam (DEN, Honda), +1:10.196
8. Natalie Kane (IRL, Honda), +1:18.210
9. Lynn Valk (NED, Yamaha), +1:27.698
10. Stephanie Laier (GER, KTM), +1:33.019

WMX Overall Top Ten:
1. Nancy Van De Ven (NED, YAM), 45 points
2. Kiara Fontanesi (ITA, YAM), 45 points
3. Courtney Duncan (NZL, YAM), 44 points
4. Larissa Papenmeier (GER, SUZ), 36 points
5. Shana van der Vlist (NED, KTM), 31 points
6. Amandine Verstappen (BEL, KTM), 30 points
7. Natalie Kane (IRL, HON), 28 points
8. Line Dam (DEN, HON), 26 points
9. Stephanie Laier (GER, KTM), 24 points
10. Lynn Valk (NED, YAM), 23 points

WMX Championship Top Ten:
1. Courtney Duncan (NZL, YAM), 184 points
2. Kiara Fontanesi (ITA, YAM), 163 points
3. Nancy Van De Ven (NED, YAM), 163 points
4. Larissa Papenmeier (GER, SUZ), 161 points
5. Stephanie Laier (GER, KTM), 112 points
6. Natalie Kane (IRL, HON), 109 points
7. Amandine Verstappen (BEL, KTM), 108 points
8. Shana van der Vlist (NED, KTM), 93 points
9. Sara Andersen (DEN, KTM), 75 points
10. Anne Borchers (GER, SUZ), 69 points

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