Kevin Zarczynski reports from the Isola 2000 Resort after the french round of the Women's World Championship.
Australian Ladies Champion Kristie McKinnon gave Xispa their debut in the World Championship at the Isola 2000 round of the series in France.
After winning the 2009 Aussie title, Kristie has offers from several manufacturers for her European competition program, but chose to continue her long association with the Hell Team with the support of principle Paul Arnott, and move to the new marque. Kristie had her first ride on the all new Xispa just days before flying out with the Australian womens trial des Nations team.
Xispa development rider and former world number five David Cobos greeted Kristie and the remaining members for the Australian team, Michelle Coleman and Brooke Lonie, for a quick tour of the factory prior to handing over a brand new 280 machine for Kristie to use in two round of the world ladies championship in France and Italy, as well as the Ladies Trial des Nations.
With just a days practice to run in the new bike, Kristie lead the 28 rider field away for the French event, where she rode with the aid of experienced Australian minder Ross Middleton.
The French event was a warm up event for the Aussie girls in the leadup to the des Nations the following weekend, and gave Kristie the opportunity to learn her new mount. The event ran on all new sections, which would settle in for the later riders to the disadvantage of the first rider. Still multiple world champion Lai Sainz shadowed Kristie through the first part of the loop, studying the Aussie riders lines and performance.
"Today the bike was great, but the rider was struggling", offered McKinnon at the end of the day. "I need a few days to get used to the time zone, and we have a few days training planned for this week in the lead up to the next world round and the des Nations which should help improve my riding."
Hell Team Xispa rider Kristie McKinnons next ride is the final round of the Womens World Championship on Friday 18th September, followed the next day by the Ladies Trial des Nations.
Kevin Z.