05-19-03
KTM's Steffi Laier Three-Time WML International Champion
Round 2 AMA/WML Altex Computers Motocross Championship Series
Hangtown MX - Sacramento, CA

The WML Pro women continued to take professional women's racing to another level with both moto's running on Sunday in conjunction with the AMA/Chevy Trucks Motocross Championship.  Round 2 of the AMA-WML Altex Computers Motocross Championship and the WML International Championship featured riders from seven countries battling on the fabled Dirt Digger's Hangtown National track.

Jessica Patterson (KAW) took the holeshot in moto one with round one winner Steffi Laier (KTM), Michigan's Sarah Whitmore (YAM) and Jessica Snyder (YAM) in pursuit.  Patterson's lead was soon relinquished when she crashed hard on a rough downhill section midway through lap one ending her day of racing.  Laier assumed the lead, with Italy's Stefy Bau (HON) and Germany's Alexandra Haupt (KAW) battling for third position.  New Zealand's Tania Satchwell (YAM) fell on lap two injuring her shoulder and retiring for the day.  Laier continued to stretch her lead, crossing the finish line 10 seconds ahead of Whitmore.  Haupt passed Bau on lap four to hold onto third position while Shelly Harens (YAM ) made an incredible charge from fourteenth place on lap one to finish fifth just behind Bau.

Sarah Whitmore edged out Sheena Patterson (SUZ) for the Sick Racing holeshot award to start moto two.  Moto one winner Laier rounded lap one in fifth position, ten seconds behind leader Whitmore.  Marisa Hampshire (KAW) moved into second position by lap two, with Laier charging past her by lap three and her sights now set on catching Whitmore.  Shelly Harens once again was charging through the pack from a sixth place start moving into fourth and battling with Hampshire by lap five.  At the white flag Laier trailed Whitmore by one second, eventually passing her on an uphill tabletop jump with less than half a lap remaining.  Laier held on at the checkers ending another perfect weekend of racing with 1-1 moto scores for the International Championship overall.  Whitmore, although disappointed, finished second overall with 2-2 scores.  Alexandra Haupt rode into a steady third overall with 3-5 moto scores while Hampshire held off Harens at the finish for fourth overall.

The WML is sponsored by Altex Computers, Honda Rider's Club, Scott, Dunlop, Alpinestars, Thor, and Racer X.  Additional support is provided by Sick Racing, I Precision, Throttle Jockey, Pro Clean, Sunstar, and Universal.  The WML invites you to visit round three of its' championship series July 26 at Washougal, Washington.

For Official Results, click here.

Event Credit:  Results and Press Release by the Women's MX League.
                    Photo Credit:  Bonnau

For more information on women's motocross, visit the www.womensmxleague.com.

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