Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1545405
Turner Turns Up the Heat A mid an already world- class lineup, the intensity of competition reached new heights with the arrival of Yamaha's two-time reigning FIM WMX World Champion, Lotte van Drunen, of the Netherlands. Her entry into round two of the Women's Pro Motocross Championship, powered by Synchrony, at Thunder Valley Raceway added yet another formidable dimen - sion to an already stacked field. Anticipation surged as riders lined up for Friday's opening moto, with much of the attention focused on whether van Drunen—or anyone in the field—could challenge Altus Motors - ports bLU cRU Yamaha's Lachlan "LaLa" Turner. Any doubt was quickly erased as Turner passed early leaders Charli Can - non of Quad Lock Honda Racing, Mikayla Nielsen of SLR Honda Racing and Taylah McCutcheon of JPM Kawasaki to move into first by the end of the opening lap, ultimately turning lap times nearly five seconds faster than anyone else in the field. In stark contrast, van Drunen faced an uphill battle from the outset, rel - egated outside the top 15 after a difficult start that left her chasing the pack. As Turner extended her advantage, increasing her lead from 19 seconds at the halfway mark to a com - manding 27 seconds at the finish, van Duren mounted an impressive charge through the field. Demon - strating composure, she carved her way into the top five, sealing the effort with a decisive last-lap pass on Yamaha's Jordan Jarvis. A late mechanical set - back for Nielsen reshuffled the podium, promoting Cannon and McCutcheon to second and third. Van Duren's push secured fourth, with Jarvis fifth. Turner wasted no time asserting control in the second moto, launching from the gate first and powering up Thunder Valley's demanding uphill start. Cannon slotted into second after turn one, with McCutcheon close behind, while van Drunen once again found herself buried in the pack. Seemingly on track for another runaway victory, Turner's momentum was briefly halted by a midrace crash that handed the lead to Cannon. Unfazed, Turner remounted with urgency and quickly reclaimed the top spot, while McCutch - eon continued unchal- lenged in third. WIND IN THE P40 Behind them, the battle for fourth inten- sified into a frantic multi-rider showdown, with Bell, Nielsen, Jarvis and van Drunen locked in a fierce battle. At the finish, Turner claimed her second moto win of the weekend, with Cannon finishing second. Nielsen, McCutcheon and Jarvis rounded out the top five. The overall results saw Turner go 1-1 for first overall, with Cannon second at 2-2, while McCutcheon parlayed a 3-4 perfor- mance into third overall. Jarvis (5-5) and van Drunen (4-6) rounded out the top five. CN OVERALL (Top 5) 1. Lachlan Turner (Yam) 1-1 2. Charli Cannon (Hon) 2-2 3. Taylah McCutcheon (Kaw) 3-4 4. Jordan Jarvis (Yam) 5-5 5. Lotte van Drunen (Yam) 4-6 Lachlan Turner won both WMX motos at Thunder Valley. PHOTOS: OCTOPI MEDIA