WMX legend Kiara Fontanesi: "I would also go back to the USA"

With 6 world championship titles (2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017 and 2018), Kiara Fontanesi is the most successful woman in motocross. After the birth of her daughters Skyler (2019) and Alaska (2022), she returned to WMX, finishing the 2023 World Championship in 6th place and the 2024 World Championship in 3rd place. Last year, she finished runner-up behind Lotte van Drunen. In the 2026 season, Kiara Fontanesi is ranked 2nd in the WMX world rankings after 2 of 5 stages behind Spain's Daniela Guillen (GASGAS).

Women's motocross in Europe and the USA

Kiara already took part in the X Games in Los Angeles in 2013. She came to the USA as a two-time WMX World Champion and was one of the most prominent international riders in the field. She told SPEEDWEEK.com about her experiences: "I went to the USA to compete in a few events there, just to get the experience. I also used to take part in the X-Games. The last time I was in the USA was in 2015, but it wasn't good to be honest. There were also a few interruptions during that time. I was coached by Christina [Denney] back then. She is the former team manager of Rock River Yamaha."

Kiara Fontanesi beim Deutschland-Grand-Prix vor Lotte van Drunen

Foto: Thoralf Abgarjan

New edition of the WMX in the USA

Christina Denney has been heavily involved in the WMX since its comeback in 2024 and was appointed WMX Series Director in February of this year. "Through her involvement, WMX has now been reinstated to the US Nationals calendar," explains Kiara. "It really looks like it's going to be a very good championship again. If I had the opportunity, I would do it again, maybe for a few races or even a whole season."

It really looks like they have a good championship in the USA again now.

Kiara Fontanesi

Lotte van Drunen's US excursion

Two-time world champion Lotte van Drunen will take part in the US WMX championship races in Thunder Valley and a week later in High Point. What does Kiara expect from the Dutch rider? "That's difficult to say," says Kiara. "Lotte has had some tough races and I think riders like Charli Cannon are very strong. I don't know the other girl [note: Lachlan Turner] who is leading the championships at the moment, but I think Lotte has the ability to fight for victories there as well. It's completely different conditions, a different country, different tracks and the competition is undoubtedly tough."