WMX Turkey: Fontanesi defeats Duncan in thriller
Six-time world champion Kiara Fontanesi had to pull out all the stops but narrowly resisted the pressure from Courtney Duncan (MTX BikeIt Kawasaki). Duncan repeatedly placed himself next to Fontanesi. However, just like on Saturday, the titanic duel turned into a drag race to the finish. This time the Italian won by 50 hundredths of a second!
The holeshot went to Duncan ahead of Larissa Papenmeier. After a few corners Fontanesi moved from P3 to the lead. Behind the leaders, Nancy Van de Ven was the best. She followed Papenmeier and would finish third, albeit at a considerable distance from Fontanesi.
Courtney Duncan (pictured above) maintained contact and never let Fontanesi outrun more than a second or two. Due to the final offensive of the New Zealanders and those behind them who did not always clear the way smoothly, the first round had a nerve-wracking ending. Although the wheels touched each other several times and Fontanesi had to slam the door repeatedly, she now managed to settle the score in her favor!
After Nancy Van De Ven (photo below) and Papenmeier, Belgian Amandine Verstappen completed the top 5. Shana van der Vlist and Lynn Valk arrived sixth and ninth respectively. The final second heat will start at 15:05 PM.
WMX Race 1
1. Kiara Fontanesi (ITA, GASGAS), 24:58.447; 2. Courtney Duncan (NZL, Kawasaki), +0:00.050; 3. Nancy Van De Ven (NED, Yamaha), +0:44.584; 4. Larissa Papenmeier (GER, Yamaha), +0:47.101; 5. Amandine Verstappen (BEL, Kawasaki), +0:49.461; 6. Shana van der Vlist (NED, KTM), +1:00.283; 7. Sara Andersen (DEN, KTM), +1:08.396; 8. Daniela Guillen (ESP, KTM), +1:12.445; 9. Lynn Valk (NED, Husqvarna), +1:19.101; 10. Elisa Galvagno (ITA, Yamaha), +1:41.622; 11. Jamie Astudillo (USA, KTM), +1:45.966; 12. Virginie Germond (SUI, KTM), +1:50.583; 13. Tahlia Jade O'Hare (AUS, Honda), +1:51.392; 14. Mathea Seleboe (NOR, Yamaha), -1 lap(s); 15. Malou Jakobsen (DEN, KTM), -1 lap(s); 16. Giorgia Blasigh (ITA, GASGAS), -1 lap(s); 17. Avrie Berry (USA, Husqvarna), -1 lap(s); 18. Line Dam (DEN, Yamaha), -1 lap(s); 19. Mia Ribic (CRO, GASGAS), -1 lap(s); 20. Jenitty Van der Beek (NED, KTM), -1 lap(s); 21. Fahimeh Nematollahi (IRI, Kawasaki), -3 lap(s); 22. Irmak Yildirim (TUR, GASGAS), -4 lap(s); 23. Britt Jans-Beken (NED, KTM), -7 lap(s); 24. Sandra Keller (SUI, Kawasaki), -8 lap(s);
Photos: MXGP
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