FIMWOMENS

Young and determined are two words to describe one of Norway’s hottest WMX riders, Genette Våge. Last year, the then fifteen-year-old Våge put her name on the map when she rode her KTM 125cc to a remarkable sixth place finish at the final round of the FIM Women’s Motocross World Championship. This year the youngster will enter the entire WMX World Championship and has just been granted support from one of the biggest clothing company’s in motocross FOX Head via the guys at FOX Nordic. We decided to catch up with the young Norwegian talent to get to know the name Genette Våge a little better.

How did your season go last year?

“I had my first WMX World Championship race in Valkenswaard last year, I was just fifteen-years-old. I found it quite tough, I qualified seventh in the qualifying race but then in the first race I crashed so hard and got injured. That sidelined me for most of the season. After getting medical clearance, I raced the last three rounds of the WMX World Championship where I got better each time finishing seventh and then sixth at the last two rounds"

I see you ride a 125 two-stroke where as most riders today opt for the 250F four-strokes. Why 125cc? 

"I consider myself still in the learning phase, and I have a long way to go before my skills are fully developed on the technical side. Our strategy is long-term, I still have a couple of years to go before I am supposed to ride really fast, so during this period we chose the 125cc just because I think you get punished much harder for making mistakes on a two-stroke compared to a four-stroke. It is also easier to handle when it comes to developing technical skills, which is important considering my age and height. It is possible to gain 2-3 seconds per lap "for free" when we eventually switch to four-strokes. 

You did the last three rounds of the FIM Women’s Motocross World Championships. Did you feel nervous?

Yes, most definitely!
I have tried to prepare myself as much as I possibly can during the previous years, by mainly competing against boys in larger races like the European Championships. It was a dream from the start to achieve a level that allowed me to race in the WMX World Championship".

What did you learn from that experience?

"I didn’t know how fast the others where, so I raced without a benchmark. I knew most of them had tons of experience, but apart from that, most of them were unfamiliar to me. I think I put myself on the map, and I know I have to work hard if I am to improve my results".

This year the WMX is running alongside the big boys in MXGP, which will be a whole new experience for you. Do you know what to expect? Are you excited?

“This is a major advantage for the whole of WMX, and it increases the status enormously. It has definitely led to more of the fastest riders returning to their professional careers. This has increased the level for the 2014 season, and as for the big boys? We can handle them!"

In Qatar you will be racing in the evening under floodlights. Is that something you have done before?

During December 2013, I spent 3 weeks in USA where I trained under floodlights during the evenings. Winter training at home in Norway is also done under floodlights, so I hope it will not present me with too much of a problem, but you never know. I have great respect for the whole World Championship setup, so I prepare as well as I can".

What are your goals and expectations for this season?

"Like I mentioned, new and fast riders are entering the WMX this year, so the bar has definitely been raised. I still feel that I have developed in the right direction, and I hope to be able to start off somewhere near where I ended last season (6th)".

What are you doing to train and prepare?

"I know the winter is very important for training. Together with my personal trainer and National Team coach Kenneth Gundersen, we ride all winter in the snow, through mud, deep rutted trails and in generally rough conditions. This is mixed with speed training, usually in foreign countries. We also play around on other bikes like trials, BMX and Downhill for some extra skills.”

I saw on your website, you just signed a deal with FOX Nordic. Fox is a pretty awesome brand to have on your side. You must be happy with this deal?

"I am so happy FOX Nordic contacted me. This is huge for me. I am very thankful that Fox Nordic sees potential in me and are willing to join me on my road forward. I will do my utmost to make this a positive experience for both of us".

So it will be your first full season in the FIM Women’s Motocross Championship. Are you doing any other championships?

"Yes, I didn’t really have much racing experience last season so Qatar is the first real test this year. Other than the Women’s World Championship I will race the Norwegian National Championship, which is 3 rounds and the Swedish National Championships, too. The Swedish races are on a very high level, and run over 6 rounds. I am also planning to race in a BSMA Women’s Motocross National´s in the UK".

Who else would you like to thank for supporting you this year?

"First of all my coach Kenneth Gundersen, Fox Nordic, and Johan Boonen from DT1 filters along with all of my other sponsors presented on my website www.genette.no. Since I’m still at school I want to extend my thanks to my school for helping to make this all possible. And of course my Mom and Dad, without them I wouldn’t be where I am. 

And one more for your fans, what are your social media and website platforms?

“I want to thank all my fans and supporters - every single one of you mean a lot to me! Without you this would be impossible. See you all on the track soon". 
Website: www.genette.no
Facebook: Genette.no
Instagram & Twitter: genettevaage

Thanks Genette and good luck this season!

Copyright: Photo: Genette Våge

World Champion in 2008 with Kawasaki, Liva Lancelot will be back in the Women World Championship next season. She will race with her own team 114, supported by Kawasaki.

A knee injury stopped Livia Lancelot during the 2013 season, but the French lady is back on a bike to prepare next season. The 2008 World Champion will have a double job in 2014, as she will be a Kawasaki rider and also a team owner. 

Livia, what is your physical situation at the moment?
I was back on a bike one month ago, as I want to be ready for Le Touquet, the famous beach race at mid February. I’m training with a 450 Kawasaki as I love to ride this bike in the sand; after my injury it’s not so easy, but I work hard and spend many hours on the bike to be back at my best level.

You broke your knee during the French series, how is it now?
I rode carefully when I was back on the bike, as you’re always a little scare when you come back from an injury. But now it’s OK; I recovered my muscles, I’m nearly back at 100% but I still need to ride to be fully ready.

Your season will start at Le Touquet? 
Yes, this race is one of my goals, and I want to do better than in 2013 (Livia finished 46th overall). I’m already working for this race but I’ve no stress, as I know that it’s an early race and the season will be long. I enjoyed so much riding a 450 Kawasaki on a beach; I’m happy to do this race as for me it’s fun to ride and for my sponsors it’s a huge event as there’s a lot of media coverage. I will do one race before going to le Touquet, in Hossegor (another beach race) at mid January.

You have now your own sponsors, and you will ride in your own team, team 114?
That’s one of the novelties; I will do the season in my own team with my own partners, including of course Kawasaki. I had this idea since a few years; I created this team three years ago, but until now I was involved in another team. It was time to do it, that’s also a great opportunity for my future even if nothing is easy at the moment. I have several jobs, not only training and riding, but I like this!

You will have two other girls in your team?
Yes, I will be working with two young girls. Gloria Jacquemard did a few GP’s and got some top five finishes in the French Women series, she will do all the GP’s on a 125 Kawasaki. We expect some podiums in France, for the GP’s we’ll see. The second rider is Julie Sempé, she never raced at the moment; I met here last year during a training camp and she impressed me, she has a very strong mind. 

The great news is that you will be back in the Women World Championship?
That’s right. I’ve some strong partners behind me and thanks to them I will be able to race all the GP’s, including of course Qatar in March. My goal is to get the title, I know that since my title (2008) many girls have improved their riding, they didn’t wait for me! I had other goals, did other events, and also learnt a lot. The last times I came to the GP’s my results were pretty good, with some wins in 2012 or this year at the Women Motocross of Nations. I’m confident, I know that I lost time with my knee injury, but I’m working hard and will recover.

It’s great to see the Women World Championship back with the MX2 and MXGP classes; for sure it will be a better series than in the past?
I think that the level was not the best, since the Women move with the MX3 and lost some media coverage. I’m sure that the top girls are as fast or faster than before, but the level doesn’t’ seem so homogenous. I’m sure that it will change, more girls will come to the GP’s with the new schedule.

The X Games was at your program in 2012 and 2013, will you go there again?
It could be difficult, as we have one GP the week before the X Games and one French series the week after. I don’t know if I will be able to go there, but for sure I want to get a gold medal there, in 2014 or later.

This year you stopped your season after an injury in the French series, you will again do this championship next season?
For sure I stopped my season there, when another girl hit my knee at a start. I missed the X Games, some GP’s and the end of the French series. But to be in good shape for the GP’s you need to race, you need to be behind a starting gate, you need to fight with other riders. In France we are lucky to have a dedicate series for the girls, and I have to go there and promote our sport, for me and for my young team mates.

Natalie Kane has been awarded 2013 Irish off-road rider of the year at the annual Adelaide Motorcycle Awards last Friday in Belfast, Ireland. “I really appreciated the nomination, but I didn’t actually expect to win it! So, I couldn’t believe it! I am so proud to have won this award” Kane said, “I am the first female ever to achieve it and now my name joins a list of Irish legends such as ‘Gordon Crockard’, who has previously won this award many times before.”

As for this up coming season, Natalie will be in Qatar with her team HM Plant KTM UK come March 1st for the first round of the FIM Women’s Motocross World Championship. “For this season I hope to stay healthy and give everything I’ve got. I hope to be battling for race wins and overalls, or at least consistent podium finishes. It won’t be easy, but I am prepared to give 200% and so is everyone around me. I am excited to have the full series back with the MXGP and MX2, I think it will be better racing and will bring more of the faster girls back to race, it is also a good opportunity for new talent to show up. Right now, I am a bit behind on bike time and set up, but I am looking forward to getting back to it and for the season to start”

Congratulations to Natalie and her team on their achievement’s so far.

Last years’ FIM Women’s Motocross World Championship runner-up Meghan Rutledge has re-signed with Bud Racing Kawasaki and will be back this year for the full WMX series. Upon hearing this fantastic news, we got in touch with the bubbly Australian to listen in on her plans for this season only to find out she broke her ankle a couple days later.

Despite taking a devastating blow to her world championship preparation, Rutledge – also known as ‘Mad Meg’ – is keeping her head held high and her eyes on the prize. “Unfortunately I had a minor set back in my preparation on Thursday, when I fractured my ankle. I am lucky to have the support of a great medical team who devised a management plan to ensure I will be fit and ready for the first round of the WMX championship in Qatar,” she concluded. 

So Meg, you will be back on-board with Bud Racing Kawasaki. How did that deal come about?

I started talking to them last year when I was riding with them. So I was really happy when they got back to me a few weeks ago to say they could offer some support. After riding for Bud Racing Kawasaki last year, I couldn't think of a better team to be involved with. 

Will you be flying back and forth from Europe to Australia or are you planning to base in Europe?

Yes, I will fly home after every round, as I need to work to help finance my travels to Europe. I will also be racing the MX2 class in the Australian MX Nationals.

It’s amazing you are working as well as training. What do you do for work?

I'm a lifeguard at the local leisure center. Recently I have been working five to seven days a week so I can afford to race in Europe. If I wasn't working I wouldn't be able to race. 

What is your favorite thing about racing the WMX series in Europe?

My favorite thing about racing this series is the competition and the tracks. The tracks in Europe are amazing.

What’s the most difficult thing about racing in Europe?

Last year the most difficult thing was the different languages. This year I think the most difficult thing is going to be racing without dad and mum being there as we have always been a great team. However, at the moment my biggest worry is transport in Europe. Because I'm only eighteen it’s almost impossible to hire a vehicle. So at this stage I'm not sure how I will be getting from the airports to the track. 

What kind of training are you doing at the moment to prepare?

Well it's very dry in Australia at the moment so it's hard to find a good track to ride on, so I'm in the gym every day and just riding whenever I can.

What are your goals for this season?

After getting second last year I guess there is only one goal to have and that's to do better than last year. So my goal is to become the 2014 Women's World Champion. 

Thanks Meg, good-luck for this season and we wish you a speedy recovery with your foot.

FUNCHAL (Portugal), 04 February 2014 – Youthstream presents the fifth issue of the MXGP Mag featuring the complete list of the Officially Approved Teams and Riders for the 2014 season, a special feature on the comeback of Husqvarna and a deep interview with Dave Nicoll.

Click here to read the fifth issue of MXGP Mag or download it for FREE on Apple Store or Google Play. The iOs and Android versions contain exclusive videos and several photo galleries, and once the MXGP Mag has been downloaded, the reader does not need to be connected on the Internet to go through the content. 

Those users who have already downloaded the other issues on their iOs device can automatically download the fifth issue by opening the News Stand and clicking on the cover of the MXGP Mag. Whereas those readers using an Android device will be able to download the magazine for free thanks to this new app: http://bit.ly/IssuuOnAndroid

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Youthstream
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