FONTANESI RETURNS TO THE TOP AS WMX TITLE BATTLE HEATS UP IN LUGO.
The second round of the FIM Women’s Motocross World Championship in Lugo, Spain, delivered a captivating mix of speed, resilience, and heart-pounding comebacks as the brightest stars battled through rutted corners and rain-soaked terrain. With the majestic Galician landscape as a backdrop, a resurgent MX Fontaracing’s Kiara Fontanesi returned to winning ways after a four-year wait, sealing her 21st career Grand Prix victory.
Meanwhile, Spanish sensation RFME Spain National Team GASGAS’s Daniela Guillen gave her home fans reason to erupt with a sensational race win on Saturday and an inspired charge on Sunday, while red plate holder De Baets Yamaha MX-Team’s Lotte Van Drunen quietly defended her championship lead with smart, steady riding. In a weekend that tested the riders’ skill the WMX title fight took on new intensity setting the stage for an explosive third round in Germany.
Round 2 of the FIM Women’s Motocross World Championship got underway in compelling fashion in Lugo, Spain, with Daniela Guillen claiming an emphatic first race win of the season in front of an electrified home crowd.
As the gate dropped on a rutted and technical circuit, it was Lynn Valk from Van Venrooy KTM Racing who grabbed the holeshot and led the field through the opening lap. Kiara Fontanesi quickly slotted into second after an early move on Shana van der Vlist, while local favourite Guillen settled into fourth. Lotte Van Drunen didn’t start very well and passed the first lap in 8th.
Incidents followed early as SYE Racing Team’s Larissa Papenmeier and Martine Hughes both went down, with Hughes suffering a second fall one lap later. Meanwhile, Valk remained composed at the front, with Fontanesi and Guillen applying increasing pressure.
By lap 5, Guillen made a decisive pass on Fontanesi for second and, just two laps later, swept into the lead with a powerful move on Valk, igniting a massive roar from the Spanish fans. From that moment, she never looked back. Guillen consistently strong laps and maintained a steady gap to the chasing pack.
Fontanesi continued to ride strongly and was rewarded on lap 11 when she overtook Valk for second. Behind them, Amandine Verstappen and Van Drunen settled into fourth and fifth respectively, battling closely through the second half of the race.
Van Drunen, who entered Lugo with the red plate as championship leader, had to work hard in the early laps after a cautious start in the treacherous conditions. Despite briefly dropping back, she recovered with determination, keeping her pace steady and consistent. The Dutch teenager showed maturity beyond her years by managing her race carefully, avoiding major mistakes, and ultimately crossing the line in fifth place.
KL Racing Team’s Malou Jakobsen ran in sixth for much of the race, making gains when van Drunen slipped briefly, though van Drunen’s late-race pace allowed her to retake the position.
Elsewhere, Sara Andersen unfortunately crashed from sixth place and needed assistance, though she did manage to collect two championship points. Shana van der Vlist, after an early incident, recovered to finish 18th.
At the front, Guillen crossed the line 3.3 seconds clear of Fontanesi and nearly seven seconds ahead of Valk. It was a poised and commanding performance from the Spaniard, who headed into Sunday’s second race with confidence and momentum on her side.
Sunday’s race brought fresh challenges and yet more unpredictable turns. With standing water on the circuit and a rain-soaked surface, it was Van der Vlist who led out of the gate, claiming the holeshot. Fontanesi quickly established herself in second, with Papenmeier slotting into third and red plate holder Van Drunen in fifth.
Guillen, however, had a difficult start, initially buried in the pack. But the Spanish sensation launched an immediate recovery, passing Van Drunen, then Verstappen, and by lap 3, overtaking Papenmeier to take third. Meanwhile, Fontanesi applied relentless pressure on Van der Vlist and took over the lead with a brilliant move just as rain began to intensify again.
By lap 5, Guillen comtinued to push to take over the second place as she brush pasted Van der Vlist to chase after the lead. The Spanish rider managed to get aas close as 3 seconds behind Fontanesi but the Italian managed to pull clear once more.
The track became increasingly difficult, and just as Guillen closed the gap to within three seconds of Fontanesi again, disaster struck. A sudden stall saw her drop from second to fifth on lap 8 of 11. She regrouped once more, overtaking Valk and Van der Vlist to recover to third, but the chance of the overall win had slipped away.
Up front, Fontanesi remained unfazed. The Italian legend posted the fastest lap of the race and rode with precision and experience to seal her first race win since 2021. Van Drunen, meanwhile, stayed calm and focused to finish second, salvaging vital championship points despite not quite having the pace of the leaders.
Fontanesi’s emotional return to the top step of the podium four years after her last victory was a powerful statement in the title race. Meanwhile, Van Drunen retains the red plate thanks to two smart and consistent rides, while Guillen continues to show speed and spirit as the championship will head to Germany for Round 3.
Kiara Fontanesi: „It feels unbelievable—am I really winning a GP again? Everyone keeps saying the younger girls are faster, and sure, they are improving, but I always believed in my potential. Yesterday I saw I had the speed, and today I managed a tough race without mistakes. When I crossed the line, I couldn’t believe it was over. I can’t wait to get home and hug my girls.“
WMX – Race 1 – Top 10 Classification: 1. Daniela Guillen (ESP, GASGAS), 24:35.288; 2. Kiara Fontanesi (ITA, GASGAS), +0:03.355; 3. Lynn Valk (NED, KTM), +0:06.995; 4. Amandine Verstappen (BEL, Yamaha), +0:11.421; 5. Lotte Van Drunen (NED, Yamaha), +0:14.093; 6. Malou Jakobsen (DEN, KTM), +0:48.357; 7. April Franzoni (FRA, Honda), +0:55.097; 8. Larissa Papenmeier (GER, Honda), +0:56.629; 9. Danee Gelissen (NED, Yamaha), +1:08.133; 10. Lucy Barker (GBR, KTM), +1:16.961
WMX – Race 2 – Top 10 Classification: 1. Kiara Fontanesi (ITA, GASGAS), 27:10.256; 2. Lotte Van Drunen (NED, Yamaha), +0:14.031; 3. Daniela Guillen (ESP, GASGAS), +0:21.365; 4. Lynn Valk (NED, KTM), +0:34.819; 5. Shana van der Vlist (NED, Yamaha), +0:44.452; 6. Larissa Papenmeier (GER, Honda), +0:49.257; 7. Danee Gelissen (NED, Yamaha), +0:56.638; 8. April Franzoni (FRA, Honda), +1:18.480; 9. Lucy Barker (GBR, KTM), +1:22.347; 10. Martine Hughes (NOR, Kawasaki), +1:35.107
WMX Overall – Top 10 Classification: 1. Kiara Fontanesi (ITA, GAS), 47 points; 2. Daniela Guillen (ESP, GAS), 45 p.; 3. Lotte Van Drunen (NED, YAM), 38 p.; 4. Lynn Valk (NED, KTM), 38 p.; 5. Larissa Papenmeier (GER, HON), 28 p.; 6. Amandine Verstappen (BEL, YAM), 28 p.; 7. April Franzoni (FRA, HON), 27 p.; 8. Danee Gelissen (NED, YAM), 26 p.; 9. Lucy Barker (GBR, KTM), 23 p.; 10. Malou Jakobsen (DEN, KTM), 23 p
WMX World Championship – Top 10 Classification: 1. Lotte Van Drunen (NED, YAM), 88 points; 2. Kiara Fontanesi (ITA, GAS), 80 p.; 3. Lynn Valk (NED, KTM), 80 p.; 4. Daniela Guillen (ESP, GAS), 72 p.; 5. Shana van der Vlist (NED, YAM), 61 p.; 6. Amandine Verstappen (BEL, YAM), 55 p.; 7. Larissa Papenmeier (GER, HON), 52 p.; 8. Danee Gelissen (NED, YAM), 50 p.; 9. Martine Hughes (NOR, KAW), 49 p.; 10. April Franzoni (FRA, HON), 42 p.
WMX Manufacturers – Top 10 Classification: 1. Yamaha, 90 points; 2. GASGAS, 84 p.; 3. KTM, 80 p.; 4. Honda, 53 p.; 5. Kawasaki, 49 p.; 6. Triumph, 21 p.; 7. Fantic, 17 p.
Bild/Text: Infront