Rutledge claims breakthrough WMX round victory in Slovakia
Australia's Meghan Rutledge has scored a breakthrough maiden FIM WMX World Championship win at the season finale in Senkvice, Slovakia.
Australia’s Meghan Rutledge was a sensation in Slovakia, winning the final WMX round of the season.
Australia’s Meghan Rutledge has scored a breakthrough maiden FIM WMX World Championship win at the season finale in Senkvice, Slovakia.
The Bud Racing Kawasaki rider carded 1-3 finishes to take the overall round win, with the performance built upon fast yet smart racing.
Rutledge made a good start to the opening race, and found herself in second early on. She was able to take the lead before the end of the lap and charged forwards to take the win by a considerable 5.552-second win from Stephanie Laier and Chiara Fontanesi.
The second race belonged to HM Plant KTM UK’s Natalie Kane, who returned from an early injury to take the gate to flag win.
Fontanesi was second, while Rutledge kept herself in contention with third, edging out Fontanesi by three points for the overall victory.
Fontanesi was crowned the 2013 champion, but newcomer Rutledge has perhaps been the standout of the season.
The Aussie finished an incredible runner-up against her vastly-experienced opposition, and ended the season just 44 points adrift of the eventual world champion.
FIM Women’s Motocross World Championship
Round six – Slovakia
WMX overall results:
1. Meghan Rutledge 45
2. Chiara Fontanesi 42
3. Stephanie Laier 40
4. Nina Klink 32
5. Francesca Nocera 28
6. Genette Vage 28
7. Justine Charroux 28
8. Natalie Kane 25
9. Nancy Van De Ven 25
10. Anne Borchers 25
WMX championship standings (after six of six rounds):
1. Chiara Fontanesi 287
2. Meghan Rutledge 243
3. Stephanie Laier 232
4. Natalie Kane 227
5. Nancy Van De Ven 173
6. Anne Borchers 147
7. Justine Charroux 135
8. Britt van der Wekken 130
9. Francesca Nocera 109
10. Marianne Veenstra 109
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