The MXGP Festival at Matterley Basin in Great Britain started on Thursday with the first race of the fourth round of the FIM Women’s Motocross World Championship.

Chiara Fontanesi dominated the first WMX race, while Natalie Kane and Australia’s Meghan Rutledge were second and third.

The WMX race one started with Kane taking the holeshot and leading the first lap, but a strong Fontanesi caught the Irish rider by the end of the first lap and she overtook her and managed to lead the race until the chequered flag.

Kawasaki’s Rutledge was a little bit disappointed with her performance today because she was not able to race with the front group. She was third by the end of the first lap, but a mistake saw her drop one position, which she later on recuperated and finished third ahead of Stephanie Laier.

The former WMX world champion stalled her bike right before the gate dropped, so she started almost from the last position. However, Laier was able to get into a rhythm to move up to the third position.

In the end Rutledge overtook her, but Laier has proved today that she can be fighting for the victory if she gets a good start. Britt Van der Wekken rode a strong race and she finished fifth.

Racing will resume throughout the weekend when Matterley Basin’s Grand Prix of Great Britain hosts the 16th round of the FIM Motocross World Championship.