To say that Steffi Laier had a fantastic 2011 WMX season just doesn't do the KTM rider justice. Laier never finished below second during the 2011 WMX season. Laier won 7 of the 13 motos this year, and in the motos she didn't win, she finished second. Laier won five of the seven overall events this year on her way to earning her fourth world title.
But despite Laier's impeccable performance in 2011, the German rider had to fight to the bitter end to claim the 2011 WMX World championship. Laier took two second place finishes during the final FIM WMX round at France behind Chiara Fontanesi. Fontanesi's victory in France would give her a total of 298 points, putting her just 9 points behind Laier in second place
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Steffi raced the final event in France with an open wound on her arm. Laier launched into the holeshot during the opening moto, but was quickly overtaken by Fontanesi. Laier decided to play it safe then, instead of fighting through the pain for a race win, and took two second place finishes during the final WMX round. Laier's second place overall finish in France was good enough to clinch her fourth world championship.
Laier, who was the only factory KTM rider in the WMX, was able to give KTM the Manufacturer's Class Championship with 307 points.
WMX Results in France
- Chiara Fontanesi, Italy, Yamaha
- Steffi Laier, Germany, KTM
- Natalie Kane, UK, KTM
- Larissa Pappenmeier, Germany, KTM
- Justine Charroux, France, Yamaha
WMX Standings
- Steffi Laier, Germany, KTM 307
- Chiara Fontanesi, Italy, Yamaha 298
- Larissa Pappenmeier, Germany, KTM 248
- Britt van der Wekken, Netherlands, Honda 199
- Sara Pettersson, Sweden, KTM 175
Manufacturers' Standings
- KTM 307
- Yamaha 298
- Honda 199
