Fontanesi Set for MX2 Debut

Kiara Fontanesi will make history this weekend in the sand of Valkenswaard, The Netherlands, as the first ever female to race the FIM MX2 World Championship on Dutch soil. The Italian star will make her MX2 debut as a temporary replacement for the injured Jorge Zaragoza on the Ausio Yamaha Supported team on a YZ250F.

Fresh off of winning her home grand prix - WMX round of Trentino, Italy - the challenge of going up against the fastest, fittest and strongest males in the world on one of the toughest surfaces (sand) is something the fearless twenty-three-year-old WMX star is looking forward to. Fontanesi is already the most successful WMX rider of all-time having won four FIM WMX world titles, but she is not satisfied with that incredible accomplishment alone. Ready to add to her already decorated resume, the Yamaha ace will try her best to become the first ever female to score world championship points at the MXGP of Europe.

Erik Eggens, Yamaha Motor Europe Off-road Racing Manager: "This is a positive that can be taken from an unfortunate situation for the Aussio team who are missing a rider due to injury. For Kiara, it will be an amazing experience, she is already at an elite level in women's racing and is one of the most successful WMX riders ever, so it makes sense for her to try and race the best men in the world. It is definitely not going to be easy, it will be tough and a big challenge, but I think it is something exciting and it will be interesting."

Kiara Fontanesi: I am really happy to race MX2 this weekend, it has always been a dream of mine. After the race in Arco di Trento I got the opportunity from Aussio Yamaha to replace Jorge Zaragoza at the MXGP of Europe in Valkenswaard. For me it was an easy decision to race because it's the last year I can race in MX2 because of my age. I love the track in Valkenswaard, it's one of my favourites, so everything is perfect."