Kiara Fontanesi interview

Monster Energy Yamaha rider Kiara Fontanesi scored an impressive double moto win and overall victory at the opening round of the FIM Women's World Motocross Championship, held at the Valkenswaard circuit in Holland during the Easter weekend.

It was the perfect way to start the defence of her FIM Women’s Motocross World Championship, which she won in 2012. The Italian went 1-1 on her distinctive Monster Energy YZ250F and put together some really good racing along with Australian Meghan Kat Rutledge and British rider Natalie Kane.

With a six point lead going into the second round of the seven round series the Italian knows that it's going to be a hard slog as Rutledge, Kane and former Women's World Champion Stefi Laier will be looking to put serious pressure on the defending Champion.

Congratulation on that victory. How difficult is that to win the opening round as the defending Women's World Champion? How much pressure did you have?

It is not easy to win again and win 1-1 at the first race. When you come from winning the World Championships you expect the same as the previous season and this was not easy for me. It was important to take a good start, because the track is hard and different than last year. In the first moto I didn't enjoy the track as much as last year, but the second moto it got rougher and I could make a difference when it was like that. The second moto the track was flat and hard and it's not usually like that at Valkenswaard. I had a bad start and I did my best, but I didn't win easy, the second race was hard work.

One thing that was obvious was the speed of the top ladies and how close the racing was. That must give you a lot of motivation to work even harder?

For sure I am happy that the level in the women's races has improved. We had good racing in Valkenswaard and it is good for the riders and also for the teams. When you are fighting hard with other riders you know you need to train harder and I like that.

Steffi Laier is also back and while she didn't get on the podium, she will obviously be a tough competitor as the series gets into the later rounds.

It was nice to have Steffi back, and I told her that. I am so happy that a good champion like her comes back. She also did well and I am so happy that she came to congratulate me after my win. I like it when you can fight on the track but away from the racing you can get on well.