A story straight out of a film: Lotte van Drunen secures a podium finish after a mad dash to catch up

If Lotte van Drunen’s story were pitched to Hollywood, the script would probably be sent back with the comment: too unrealistic, too much drama. Yet life itself still writes the best and most dramatic stories.

Holeshot after bitter disappointment

After her first US race at Thunder Valley, the Dutch rider was deeply disappointed and close to tears. She had only just begun to recover from the brutal – yet entirely through no fault of her own – crash at the German Grand Prix. Fifth place with a 4-6 result in Thunder Valley wasn’t bad, of course, but she felt she hadn’t been able to show her true potential.

Unexpected problems

On the one hand, Lotte was happy to be competing in the US, but on the other, she had to take on strong and well-equipped rivals here on a production Yamaha – and at an altitude of 1,600 metres, where every single horsepower is desperately needed.

No compromises at the start

Anyone racing in the US with inferior equipment needs a perfect start. A week later at High Point, she focused all her attention on the start and finished second in the first race on Friday behind the 17-year-old WMX sensation Mayla Herrick, who won straight away on her Pro Motocross debut – another scene straight out of a film! Mayla Herrick had only turned 17 a few days earlier, which meant she had only just become eligible to compete. She came, she saw, she conquered. Lotte went all out, got off to a good start and finished second behind Mayla Herrick.

Drama on Saturday

“I had to throw the bike into the start so aggressively that I’d either take the holeshot or end up right at the back,” said Lotte before the start of the second race on Saturday. “Well, I took the risk and took the holeshot.” Lotte hammered her motorbike to the front, but the starting hook wouldn’t release the front fork. With the fork still caught, she naturally couldn’t make it round the bends, let alone over the jumps. “I tried to kick the starting hook off, but quickly realised it wasn’t working.” This made her easy prey for her pursuers, but in the first corner after the start there was a mass crash involving several girls, and, of all people, Friday’s sensation Mayla Herrick had to be treated and taken to hospital. The race was stopped with a red flag.

Lotte van Drunen steht fassungslos vor ihrem Motorrad

Foto: Yamaha

Chaos before the restart

Lotte’s mechanic tried unsuccessfully to repair the starting hook. Whilst the team was dealing with this issue, Lotte discovered that her engine was suddenly losing oil! The oil drain plug had come loose and fallen off. “My mechanic ran for his life to get me some oil in time.” Although this meant oil could be topped up, the drain plug was still missing. Fortunately, Charlie Cannon’s mechanic had this plug with him and came to the rescue just seconds before the start.

Start without a starting hook

As the repair took place behind the starting gate, all the girls had meanwhile lined up at the gate again for the restart. In this situation, Lotte was left with nothing but the worst starting position. The engine had oil again, the drain plug was in place, but the starting hook wouldn’t work. So she had to start without a ‘holeshot device’ and, naturally, didn’t stand a chance at the start. She entered the first corner in last place.

Lotte van Drunen fuhr in High Point auffs Podium

Foto: Yamaha

Sensational comeback to the podium

Races in the US last just 12 minutes plus one lap. That’s not much time to catch up with the entire field from the back. “I had to start from last place, this time without a holeshot device,” recalls Lotte. In a thrilling race, she fought her way up to fourth place, securing a spot on the podium. “Some of you saw it today: I really never give up.”

World MX Women’s High Point results:

1. Charli Cannon (AUS), Honda, 5–1

2. Lachlan Turner (USA), Yamaha, 3–2

3. Lotte van Drunen (NL), Yamaha, 2–4

4. Mikayla Nielsen (USA), Honda, 4–3

5. Jordan Jarvis (USA), Yamaha, 6–5

6. Taylah McCutcheon (AUS), Kawasaki, 7–6