LOTTE VAN DRUNEN TO RACE MX2 IN TRENTINO AFTER SECURING A DOUBLE RACE VICTORY AT WMX ROUND 1 IN SARDINIA

In a performance that highlighted her immense talent and mental strength, defending FIM Women's Motocross World Champion Lotte van Drunen swept the opening round of the 2025 WMX World Championship with a perfect 1-1 showing at the deep sand of Riola Sardo last weekend. The 17-year-old Dutch wonder’s performance came despite battling some health challenges leading into the event.

"I lost three kilos during the week," van Drunen revealed in a post-race interview, her eyes still reflecting the mix of exhaustion and elation that defined her weekend. "There were moments I wasn't sure I could even race."

Those doubts never materialized on the track, where the De Baets Yamaha Supported MX rider attacked the notorious Sardinian sand with trademark aggression, gapping the field in both motos to manage a comfortable lead at the checkered flag.

The victory in Sardinia, while impressive, has quickly become background noise as van Drunen has confirmed she'll line up against the men in this weekend's MX2 Monster Energy Grand Prix of Trentino in Pietramurata, Italy.

"I need to do some hard pack training," she admitted. "And racing a rough GP track with some uphills and downhills is the best training possible, so that’s why I’ve decided to race MX2 in Trentino. I enjoy racing the boys and in MX2 and I also love Arco, I’ve had some good memories there."

This won't be van Drunen's first MX2 appearance—she raced and scored points at the MXGP of Belgium in Lommel last season—but Trentino represents her first Grand Prix on a hard-pack surface against the men.

When pressed about expectations, van Drunen shrugged off pressure. "I don't expect anything. The qualifying race is the same length as WMX, so I hope to put in 20 minutes plus two laps of good riding. Sunday is really about physical training and improving my technique and skills when the track gets really rough, rutty and bumpy."

As for whether Trentino signals the start of a broader MX2 campaign? "I think I will race Lommel again for sure," she confirmed. "I need to see, like I said I really enjoy it and it’s good for me. We will see – probably!"