Kiara Fontanesi withdraws from WMX title defence due to illness

Yamaha Motor Europe regrets to announce that due to health complications the defending WMX World Champion, FontaMX Yamaha WMX’s Kiara Fontanesi, will not be lining up at the opening round of the FIM Women’s Motocross World Championship in Valkenswaard, The Netherlands, this weekend.

Fontanesi has been facing health complications for the past 18-months and based on recent medical advice the WMX star has been advised to refrain from racing until her full fitness level returns.

As the most successful female motocross racer in the world with six WMX World Titles to her credit, the 25-year-old Italian will still attend the opening round of the FIM Women’s Motocross World Championship, where she will support her new MXFonta Yamaha WMX teammate Larissa Papenmeier as she debuts her new YZ250F machine.

Kiara Fontanesi: “It’s a shame I can’t line up to challenge for a seventh world title, but at the same time, I am aware my health is very important. I have chosen not to race due to my physical condition which has not been good since 2017. I struggled last season and during the year I didn’t have the chance to train the way I should.

“For this season I first wanted to be 100% fit and ready, but my problems have not improved. Until my condition improves, I prefer not to race until I’m not back at my best. My “rest” time is only going to make me feel better, so I’ll hope I’ll be back to fight for the championship soon.”

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