The sixth round of the 2024 French Women’s Motocross Championship (MXF) took place this weekend in Bellême, setting the stage for a tense title fight ahead of the final round.
Race 1: Verstappen pulls away
The first moto saw Jessie Joineau grab the holeshot ahead of her teammate at Newbike Yamaha, Amandine Verstappen, and Honda’s April Franzoni. The Belgian took over the lead as early as lap two and never looked back, riding away to a commanding win.
Behind her, Joineau held strong against pressure from Franzoni until the halfway point, when the Honda rider made her move. Léa Chaput delivered a solid performance in fourth, ahead of Lisa Guerber. A tight mid-pack battle saw Lena Marques edge out Agathe Mazoué for sixth. After a bad start, Britt Van Muylem came back to eighth, ahead of Solenne Gobé and Lysa Raoux who made an early mistake. In the 125 class, Léa Lesoil claimed victory, finishing 11th overall, ahead of Louna Masset and Camille Schudy.
Top 10 – Race 1:
Verstappen – 2. Franzoni – 3. Joineau – 4. Chaput – 5. Guerber – 6. Marques – 7. Mazoué – 8. Van Muylem – 9. Gobé – 10. Raoux
Race 2: Verstappen under pressure
In the second moto, it was Verstappen who nailed the holeshot, this time in front of her main rival, April Franzoni. Early on, Siria Peirolo and Agathe Mazoué slotted in behind, while Hélène Leboulenger, Chaput, Marques, and Guerber rounded out the top pack.
Up front, the duel between Verstappen and Franzoni intensified, while Léa Chaput held third until she was passed by a charging Jessie Joineau, who had made her way up after a poor start. Verstappen eventually crossed the line just over a second ahead of Franzoni to take the double win. Joineau secured third once again, ahead of Chaput and Guerber. Marques took sixth, followed by Van Muylem. Raoux finished eighth after another tough start. Mazoué and Peirolo rounded out the top 10.
Léa Lesoil once again dominated the 125 category, finishing ahead of Louna Masset and Marine Carayon.
Top 10 – Race 2:
Verstappen – 2. Franzoni – 3. Joineau – 4. Chaput – 5. Guerber – 6. Marques – 7. Van Muylem – 8. Raoux – 9. Mazoué – 10. Peirolo
Amandine Verstappen tightens her grip on the Title, Louna Masset must wait
With another dominant 1-1 weekend, Amandine Verstappen strengthens her lead in the championship and edges closer to a seventh French MX title. Holding a 48-point gap with one round to go, the Belgian only needs to manage her races in Landehen to secure the crown.
April Franzoni (2-2) remains mathematically in the title hunt, while Jessie Joineau (3-3) takes another podium and further solidifies third in the standings. Léa Chaput (4-4) achieved her best result of the season in fourth, with Lisa Guerber (5-5) completing the top five.
Britt Van Muylem (8-7) keeps climbing in the championship and is now eyeing sixth overall or better depending on final results. Agathe Mazoué (7-9) and Lysa Raoux (10-8) wrap up the top ten.
In the 125cc class, Léa Lesoil takes the overall win — her second of the season — while Louna Masset, second of the day, now just needs to finish one moto in Landehen to claim the championship title. Camille Schudy rounds off the podium.
Amandine Verstappen : “Very good weekend, I achieved pole position. First race I started 2nd, quickly overtook Joineau to win. Second race I started in the lead and led the race until the end. A great double today, I’m happy, I have a 48-point lead in the championship, now all that’s left is to win!“
The final round of the 2024 French Women’s Motocross Championship will take place on July 27 in Landehen.
