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."
Race 1 - 12 Laps
Pos., Rider, Manu., Nat., Total Time
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
16, Brenda Wagemans, KTM, BEL, -1 Laps
17, Sofia Sjoberg, Honda, SWE, -1 Laps
18, Sophia Paull, Honda, GBR, -1 Laps
19, Blandine Dufrene, Honda, FRA, -1 Laps
20, Natascha Fransoo, TM, GER, -1 Laps
Race 2 - 12 Laps
Pos., Rider, Manu., Nat., Total Time
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
16, Jenny Seidenberg, KTM, GER, -1 Laps
17, Justine Charroux, Yamaha, FRA, -1 Laps
18, Marielle De Mol, Yamaha, NED, -1 Laps
19, Brenda Wagemans, KTM, BEL, -1 Laps
20, Silvia Santaga, Honda, ITA, -1 Laps
Rider Standings 15/06/2008
Pos., Rider, Manu., Nat., Points
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
Pos., Manufacturer, Points
1, KTM, 131
2, Kawasaki, 125
3, Yamaha, 122
4, Suzuki, 107
5, Honda, 102
6, TM, 19