The German lost the Title to Lancelot in 2008, the first edition of the Championship which started without her – Laier was sidelined by a shoulder injury and missed round one. This year though defending Champion Lancelot injured herself, leaving her main rival Laier alone in the wrestle for the crown at mid season. A long time KTM rider, Laier showed her true value in 2005 when she took victory in the maiden edition of the FIM Women’s World Cup. Winning the sole round of the 2005 edition, Laier took the Cup and wrote her name on the list of potential winners for the coming editions of this new competitive series. In 2006 Laier found a new strong rival in New Zealander Prumm, who went on to take the Cup by winning both rounds of the series. Laier fought tooth and nail, finishing third on the podium in Germany and second in Sweden, level in points with eventual winner Prumm. Laier ended second in the Cup with a gap of just seven points. Chasing again the Cup in 2007, Laier faced a tough season. At round one in Germany Laier had a mechanical failure in the opening heat but she made up by winning heat two. Then she was knocked out by a crash during round two in Sweden and injured her left thumb which prevented her from racing the final round in Lierop. Laier was an eventual 12th while Prumm won the Cup again. Over the winter the World Cup was upgraded to World Championship and the 2008 series begun from Sevlievo, Bulgaria, without Laier. The German had injured a ligament in her right shoulder but did her best to return to action at round two in Mantova, Italy. Laier’s comeback was as strong as ever with the German taking four consecutive heat wins in between Italy and France. Laier was again first overall in Germany, winning at home for her first time, but a technical issue at the final round in Lierop put an end to an astonishing winning streak and to her Title ambitions. Lancelot won the Title ahead of Laier. Entering the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team over the course of the winter
More photos available at www.motocrossmx1.com/galleryinfo.aspx STEPHANIE LAIER-BIOGRAPHY AND CAREER Name and surname Stephanie Laier Nationality German Place of birth Heidelberg Date of birth (d/m/y) 12/08/1985 Website www.steffilaier.de First round raced in Women’s World Championship 2008, Italy World Titles 1 First World Title 2009 World Championship Round wins 6 First World Championship round win 2008, Italy Best overall result 1 Other results
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