KTM congratulates its supported rider Steffi Laier of Germany who on Sunday sealed second place in the Women's World championship MX2 on the sandy track at Lierop in southern Netherlands.
The German racer put in a valiant effort in the last two races but in the end was foiled by technical problems. "This was not my weekend," she said. "I took the holeshot and I led the first race all the way. Then five laps into the second race I started to have problems with my back shock absorber. It was difficult but I managed to finish the race. Overall I'm quite satisfied with my season. Considering I missed the first GP, it was a good one for me."
Laier, who missed the first two races of the 10-race, five GP series in Bulgaria with an injured shoulder made an amazing comeback to be on the podium in every GP that followed. She rounded up her season with a second place in the GP of Benelux at Lierop, Netherlands on Sunday, second behind the eventual championship winner Livia Lancelot of France. Laier picked up 185 points, 27 shy of the Lancelot's 212. Laier won double victories in Italy and France, was first and third in Germany and first and sixth in Lierop.
It has been announced that the women will race eight GPs in 2009, a total of 16 individual races.
MX2 Overall classification GP of Benelux1. Livia Lancelot, France, Kawasaki, 22-25—47
2. Steffi Laier, Germany, KTM.25-15—40 3. Ashley Fiolek, USA, Honda, 18-20—38
4. Larissa Papenmeier, Germany, Suzuki, 14-22--36
5. Marielle de Mol, Netherlands, Yamaha, 16-18—34
Final championship classification after five GPs 1. Livia Lancelot, France, 212 points
2. Steffi Laier, Germany, KTM, 185 3. Maria Franke, Germany, 166
4. Larissa Papenmeier, Germany, 160
5. Elin Mann, Sweden, 144
