Feature Story
Sensational Kawasaki Debut for
Lotte van Drunen
Team Green's Talented Teenager
Dutch teenager Lotte van Drunen made a sensational start to her career with Kawasaki by winning the opening moto of the 2023 FIM World WMX Women’s Motocross Championship at Riola Sardo on Sardinia.
The talented 15-year-old, not old enough to contest the series last year, was in control all day at the deep sand track overlooking the Mediterranean, clearly topping both practice sessions and leading Saturday afternoon's first 20-minute plus two laps race from start to finish to claim victory more than 30-seconds clear of second place. Continue reading to learn more about the exceptional performance that helped lead Drunen to secure second overall in her first professional WMX race for Team Green.
Podium Secured
Following her sensational start-to-finish victory in Saturday's first moto, the 15-year-old Dutch girl fought hard in Race 2 after rounding Turn 1 mid-pack. With displays of impressive speed, Drunen maneuvered into the top 10 on the opening lap and continued the forward momentum all moto with a series of exhilarating passes and setting the fastest laps in the field throughout the second half of the race. When she moved into third after the 13-minute mark the leaders were eight seconds down the track, but the No.401's speed and commitment took the teenager to within less than a second of runner-up in the moto at the end of the 20-minute plus two laps race and secured second overall on the weekend.
“Lotte van Drunen
I've been here training a few weeks ago so I knew the track but it's amazing to win my first GP moto in my very-first race for Kawasaki. I got the holeshot and could ride my own race. I'm so happy.
“Nathalie Fase, Team Manager
F&H Kawasaki MX2 Racing Team is proud to line up this season with two young, strong talented riders in the FIM Motocross MX2 World Championship. Kevin Horgmo who finished fourth in the world championship with us last season looks stronger than ever after a perfect winter preparation and is ready to go for it. Our new Spanish talented member of the team David Braceras has recovered well from a minor injury earlier this winter period and we are confident that everything will work out with him step by step during the season.
