New Zealand motocross rider Katherine Prumm won the first leg of her quest for the women's world title in Germany yesterday, thanks to a Chinese remedy for aching muscles.
Prumm, riding a Kawasaki 250cc, finished second and first in the two heats raced at the Teutschenthal circuit, eastern Germany.
The
Pukekohe rider, 17, finished equal on points with France's Livia Lancelot, who also finished first and second, but took the round victory on countback by winning the second race.
Third was reigning champion Stephanie Laier, of Germany, who collected two thirds in the field of 30 riders from 15 countries.
Prumm, who finished second in last year's one-round inaugural championship held at Uddevalla, Sweden, dominated throughout the weekend.
Revelling in muddy conditions on Sunday, she posted the fastest time in practice by 2 1/2 seconds and qualified second behind Laier.
In fine and sunny conditions yesterday, she did not get a good start in the first race and had to fight her way from sixth before catching leaders Lancelot and Laier.
The three-way fight for the lead by the three fastest women in the world had the huge crowd on their feet.
"I could hear the roars from the crowd as we passed each other a number of times," Prumm said from Teutschenthal.
Cramp in her arms late in the 30-minute race forced Prumm to let Lancelot, the world No 3, get away as she concentrated on holding on to second place.
"During the break, a mechanic from Josh Coppins' team gave us some Tiger Balm [liniment rub] and fellow New Zealander Scott Columb [from Queenstown] massaged my arms for about 10 minutes before the second race and it worked a treat," Prumm said.
A better start in the second heat saw Prumm grab the lead on the second lap and she showed her true class with clear air in front of her as she left her French and German rivals in her wake, romping to a 7s victory over Lancelot.
"It was simply an awesome day. The bike from the British Molson Kawasaki team was perfect all day and I have to thank them for putting in a huge effort for me," Prumm said.
"It was so cool to stand on top of the podium and hear the national anthem."
With Coppins, the world MX1 No 2 recovering from a shoulder injury, and 2004 world MX2 champion Ben Townley campaigning in the United States, it was the first time this year that the New Zealand anthem had been played at a world championship grand prix round.
The second and final round of the world championship will be held at Uddevalla on July 2 where Prumm will for the first time ride with the red plate of a championship leader.
Prumm said the victory had set her up well for the year.
"It's something I have been working for, for a long time.
"It's a pretty awesome feeling to know I am leading the championship and that I am representing my sponsors the way that they would want me to, is great.
"I am right on target - I could have won the first race, I would have liked to win both motos but that's how racing goes.
"I made up for it the second race and hopefully I can do the same again in Sweden."
Prumm heads to California today for the first round of the United States women's championship this weekend.
- NZPA
Katherine Prumm (centre) after her first leg victory yesterday.
New Zealand motocross rider Katherine Prumm won the first leg of her quest for the women's world title in Germany yesterday, thanks to a Chinese remedy for aching muscles.
Prumm, riding a Kawasaki 250cc, finished second and first in the two heats raced at the Teutschenthal circuit, eastern Germany.
The
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