Yamaha Van Beers' Katherine Prumm obtained the red plate as leader of the inaugural Women's World Championship after taking her second consecutive podium with runner-up position at the Grand Prix of France; round three of five in the 2008 competition.
Double World Cup winner Prumm took her YZ250F to 3rd and 2nd positions in the two motos across the rocky terrain at St Jean d'Angely, watched by 30,000 spectators and now fronts the standings by two points with trips to Germany and Holland remaining.
The 19 year old followed Stephanie Laier and Livia Lancelot in the first outing but battled with her French rival (and the many backmarkers) closely in the second moto to win the tussle for the second step. After injuring her knee before the start of the championship Prumm has steadily amassed points to reach the top of the table. Her French results were gained with the extra hassle of suffering a sprained wrist during practice.
The ladies are back in action in a two weeks time at the Teutschenthal circuit.
Katherine Prumm, Yamaha Van Beers Racing, 2nd:
"It was good to go home and see my family after the last GP. I had spent two months largely on my own in Europe so I went to New Zealand and had some time there, won both motos in the Australian championship and came back ready for this GP. The extra training I had done paid off here. I have been trying to build up the muscles around my knee to compensate and felt more confident.
I did not have the best start to the weekend on Saturday because I over-jumped a section and landed in the corner, pulling some ligaments in my wrist. I was wondering what else could go wrong this season! I got myself together and put it out of my head. I pushed hard during the races and although I made some mistakes that I shouldn't have, it was a good day and I am pleased to be leading the championship."
Circuit Length: 1750
Temp: 19 degrees
Crowd: 30,000
Weather: Overcast
2008 GP of France, Saint Jean d'Angely 15/06/2008 Race 1 - 12 Laps
1 Stephanie Laier KTM GER 26'18.203
2 Livia Lancelot Kawasaki FRA 0'10.567
3 Katherine Prumm Yamaha NZL 0'24.469
4 Maria Franke Kawasaki GER 0'58.087
5 Larissa Papenmeier Suzuki GER 1'48.872
6 Elien De Winter KTM BEL 1'57.201
7 Elin Mann KTM SWE 2'0.042
8 Marianne Veenstra Suzuki NED 2'24.137
9 Marielle De Mol Yamaha NED -1 Laps
10 Anne Borchers Suzuki GER -1 Laps
11 Ashley Fiolek Honda USA -1 Laps
12 Nicky Van Wordragen KTM NED -1 Laps
13 Kim Irmgartz Suzuki GER -1 Laps
14 Alexandra Haupt Kawasaki GER -1 Laps
15 Jenny Seidenberg KTM GER -1 Laps
Race 2 - 12 Laps
1 Stephanie Laier KTM GER 25'52.269
2 Katherine Prumm Yamaha NZL 0'3.515
3 Ashley Fiolek Honda USA 0'15.085
4 Maria Franke Kawasaki GER 0'21.191
5 Livia Lancelot Kawasaki FRA 0'52.615
6 Larissa Papenmeier Suzuki GER 1'23.138
7 Marianne Veenstra Suzuki NED 1'31.766
8 Elin Mann KTM SWE 1'42.372
9 Elien De Winter KTM BEL -1 Laps
10 Anne Borchers Suzuki GER -1 Laps
11 Sofia Sjoberg Honda SWE -1 Laps
12 Kim Irmgartz Suzuki GER -1 Laps
13 Alexandra Haupt Kawasaki GER -1 Laps
14 Nicky Van Wordragen KTM NED -1 Laps
15 Natascha Fransoo TM GER -1 Laps
Rider Standings 15/06/2008
1. Katherine Prumm Yamaha NZL 122
2. Livia Lancelot Kawasaki FRA 120
3. Ashley Fiolek Honda USA 102
4. Maria Franke Kawasaki GER 101
5. Stephanie Laier KTM GER 100
6. Larissa Papenmeier Suzuki GER 92
7. Elin Mann KTM SWE 82
8. Elien De Winter KTM BEL 80
9. Marianne Veenstra Suzuki NED 78
10. Nicky Van Wordragen KTM NED 63
11. Kim Irmgartz Suzuki GER 49
12. Anne Borchers Suzuki GER 48
13. Brenda Wagemans KTM BEL 43
14. Sandra Adriansson Suzuki SWE 42
15. Marielle De Mol Yamaha NED 41
Manufacturer Standings 15/06/2008
1. KTM 131
2. Kawasaki 125
3. Yamaha 122
4. Suzuki 107
5. Honda 102
6. TM 19
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