Source: Kawasaki Racing.

Monster Energy Bud Racing Kawasaki’s Megan Rutledge rallied to important championship points with third overall at Qatar’s FIM Women’s World Motocross Championship opener, despite an illness that halted her pre-season preparations in recent weeks.

Rutledge, who finished number two in the world last year, led laps during moto one on her way to third, before completing with weekend with fourth in moto two for third overall.

“Obviously this weekend was not as good as last year, there are just a few problems we have to fix, but I’m happy to be on the podium of this long series,” she explained. “I’m not 100 percent yet, but I did the best I could and I’m happy with the points.

“Actually I’ve been sick coming to his GP and couldn’t practice or go to the gym form the last week and a half, so this podium is really good. The goal is to get another podium next week in Thailand and then we have a couple of weeks to be stronger before the third round.”

The series continues this Sunday at Nakonchaisri in Thailand, with Rutledge trailing series leader Livia Lancelot by 12 points ahead of round two.