Lotte van Drunen finishes fourth in Women’s World Championship in France

Lotte van Drunen delivered a strong performance at the opening round of the Women’s Motocross World Championship in Lacapelle-Marival, France, securing fourth overall for the De Baets Yamaha AIT Racing team. She began the weekend impressively by qualifying third and took an early lead in the first race, only to crash on the finish jump and drop back significantly. Demonstrating resilience, Van Drunen fought back to finish ninth in that race before climbing from seventh to third in the second race, cementing her position just outside the podium. The weekend also featured mixed results for the team’s riders in the EMX125 class. Dex Kooiker faced challenges in the extreme heat, posting the seventeenth fastest practice time but struggling during the races. Despite a recovery from 31st to 22nd in the first race, he was unable to score points after a crash and subsequent retirement in the second race. Meanwhile, Torre van Mechgelen showed determination by earning a point in the second race after a tough start, despite an early exit in the first race. Van Drunen’s performance highlights her competitive form early in the season, especially given the difficult conditions and incidents she faced. Her ability to recover from setbacks and maintain a strong pace bodes well for the upcoming rounds. The team will now focus on the next round in Teutschenthal, Germany, where Van Drunen will aim to build on her promising start, alongside teammate Vencislav Toshev competing in the EMX250 class. The results underline the challenges and unpredictability of motocross racing, particularly in demanding weather conditions, but also showcase the determination and skill within the De Baets Yamaha AIT Racing squad. With the championship still in its early stages, the team’s resilience and adaptability will be crucial as they seek to improve their standings in the coming rounds.