Take 5; Lotte van Drunen
The 2019 season is over and that means looking back but also looking forward! In this Take 5 we speak with Lotte van Drunen. The fast lady has had a very good season with another ONK title. The Team Beursfoon rider managed to shine during the World Youth Championship and scored well in the EMX final!
MXMag: You managed to win another ONK title. You managed to win by far the most matches, so I assume it went without any problems?
LvD: “The season certainly did not go completely without problems. There were two races that didn't go well due to crashes, but luckily I managed to recover quickly. This is my third ONK title and I am very happy with it!”
MXMag: You came third in the World Championship, a great achievement of course. How did that race go on the Arco di Trento circuit?
LvD: “My performance in the EMX competitions allowed me to go to the FIM Junior World Championship in Arco di Trento. It was a great experience and I managed to take home a nice bronze medal. It promised to be a warm weekend so everyone was warned that it would be tough. There were 72 riders in the 65cc class, I had to compete against 71 guys. On Saturday I managed to qualify second for the races on Sunday. I had a very good start in the first moto and took the lead. I was unable to hold on to the lead, but I was certainly satisfied with third place. The start of the second moto was also good and I came out of the first corner in third place. I quickly managed to gain one spot, but later lost two places. The fight for third place lasted until the finish but I had to be satisfied with fourth place. Overall I came third and was on the podium.”
MXMag: The EMX final in Loket didn't go so well, you came sixth in the Czech Republic. That was a disappointment I guess?
LvD: “After the well-run EMX qualifying competitions, I was really looking forward to the final. The preparation had gone well so I was confident. Qualifying in Loket went well and I got off to a good start in the first heat. Due to a crash I lost fourth place and I dropped back to twelve! I managed to recover quickly, but just after taking over ninth place things went wrong again. In this fall I hurt my wrist and even fell outside the points. In the end I finished thirteenth, but it was a disappointment for me. I got off to a good start in the second moto and was able to come out of the first lap in third place. Unfortunately I was unable to hold this place. I finished fifth to finish sixth overall in the European Championship.”
MXMag: What does your 2020 race schedule look like?
LvD: “I will skip the 85cc Small Wheels, I will go straight to the 85cc High Wheels. There I will ride the Dutch Masters of Motocross, the ONK and the EMX in the colors of John Beijer's team.”
MXMag: What is your goal for 2020, when will this season be a success?
LvD: “During the first year in 85cc I want to try to finish the ONK in the top five and for the Dutch Masters of Motocross I will aim for the top ten. In the EMX85 I hope to qualify for the grand final in Loket, it will be very tough but that is the goal. My season will be a real success if I can continue the progress of recent years and of course remain injury free.”
MXMag: Would you like to come back somewhere or add to this conversation?
LvD: “Yes, definitely! I would like to take this opportunity to thank my Team Beursfoon-KTM and all sponsors. I would also like to thank all the people who have confidence in me and support me in any way. This gives me a huge boost. The KNMV, which has again included me in the selection and also wants to invest the time and energy in me, will of course remain a girl in a man's world. And my school also fully supports me and gives me the necessary days off and thinks along with my homework and everything that goes with it.”
MXMag: Thank you for this conversation and good luck! We're going to follow you.
LvD: “No thanks, you're very welcome and thanks for your interest.”
By: Steven van Kempen/KEMCO
Photo: #NiekFotografie
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