Lotte van Drunen of the KTM MX Youth Team produced a stunning performance during the first round of the ADAC MX Junior cup at Grevenbroich. The lady from Sliedrecht finished fifth in both heats against top-level opposition, which yielded her fourth overall for the day.
A strong international field of riders reported for duty at Grevenbroich. Lotte set as goal to finish in the top ten, and set into her weekend in a motivated frame of mind. Lotte explored the track during Saturday’s early free training, and quickly found her feet. She posted a number of fast laps during qualifying, and secured the sixth gate.
Lotte launched well in race one, but lost some ground in the initial bump and barge, rounding the first corner in tenth spot. She gained a few spots in the first lap already, crossing the line in sixth at the first passing. Two laps later, she gained another spot, with another to follow another two laps later. She held fourth for a number of laps, until a mistake in a corner cost her a position. Despite giving it her all to reclaim the spot, it was not to be and she finished fifth. The second race was only scheduled for Sunday, so Lotte spent the rest of her Saturday exploring the track and enjoying the other races.
Lotte shot into the lead at the start of race two, but an error of judgement at the first corner had her shut down too early, costing her a few spots. She made a pass to move into fourth, and held this for seven laps. A wrong line choice towards the end of the race cost her a spot, which again had her cross the line in fifth spot.
Lotte was happy with the result, with fourth overall wholly surpassing what she had hoped for. She will be in action at the next round of the Open Dutch Championship at Oldebroek next weekend.
Overall ADAC 85 Cup Grevenbroich:
1 Julius Mikula 50 Pnt
2 Bradley Mesters 44 Pnt
3 Maixmilian Werner 34 Pnt
4 Lotte van Drunen 32 Pnt
5 Vitezslav Marek 31 Pnt