A comfortable second place was enough for Steffi Laier to nail down another world championship title.

We never doubted Laier would win another world title because she was the best in five out of seven rounds of the WMX Women’s World Championship. She came in second only twice, including this weekend because a second place was enough for her to win this major title.

Steffi’s very proud of her victory, but she’s also well aware that next season will be anything but easy: “I’m world champion again this year; it’s my third time in a row to do this. I’d like it to continue, but I’ve got a lot of work to do because Chiara’s also very fast and hungry for the 2012 title. Thanks to all my sponsors and especially a big thank you to my team manager. Without this, the championship title wouldn’t have been possible.”

Laier ended the French races in second place: she finished the first race 1.5 seconds behind Chiara Fontanesi, and in the second heat she crossed the finish line seven seconds behind the Italian. This year, the pretty German collected 119 points in 13 rounds (the one in Greece was cancelled due to bad weather), which is only nine points more than her nearest rival. Things will certainly be hot next year . . .

Steffi, congrats from Akrapovič as well!


Photo: van Thilo W. / KTM Images