The young Dutch will face her second World Championship campaign with the Baets Yamaha team after confirming her departure from Kawasaki a few weeks ago.
Along with Courtney Duncan and Daniela Guillen, Lotte Van Drunen was one of the main stars of the 2023 Women’s World Championship (WMX) season. In her first season, Van Drunen took her first win at the Arnhem GP (Netherlands) on her way to a bronze medal after battling for the title until the end of the calendar, even leading the provisional standings in the early rounds.
“I am excited for this new challenge and a fresh start in new colours. I know Yamaha has a strong bike and the best program for their young riders, which fits perfectly with me and my goals to win races and championships. I think this is exactly what I need to take my career to the next level, and I’m looking forward to seeing what we can achieve.”
In 2021, van Drunen once again showcased her skills by securing a remarkable third place in the European Championship EMX85 class while competing against her male counterparts. Despite the challenges faced during the highly competitive EMX125 series in 2022, the youngster made her WMX debut after reaching the minimum age requirement, 15, in August and finished an impressive seventh in her first appearance at the final round of the season.
USA PLANS:
Joining the Yamaha Family marks an exciting new chapter in van Drunen’s career. The now 16-year-old, known by her #401, will compete in the WMX World Championship aboard a GYTR kitted YZ250F with support from the De Baets Yamaha Supported MX team. In addition, the Dutch prodigy will receive further support from Yamaha and is set to make her debut in blue at Mini O’s in the United States later this month. There, she will race SX Women, SX 250B, MX Women and MX 250B with the support of Yamaha Motor USA and The National Sheriff’s Association Factory Yamaha Amateur Team.
