The FIM decided to officially give the Women’s World Cup the status of a World Championship for 2008 and as the reigning number one and double winner in 2006 and 2007 New Zealand’s Katherine Prumm must stand as one of the favourites to be the first female champion in history. 
 
A multi-national champ at both senior and junior level, Prumm was already looking for new challenges and faces to beat before her eighteenth birthday. Success followed in Australia before the inaugural Women’s World Cup was launched in 2005. Prumm took a tentative first step to Europe but was buoyed by recommendations from her countrymen Ben Townley and Josh Coppins. The teenager went on to earn runner-up position to German Stephanie Laier and took new-found experience and speed back home to again dominate national competitions in New Zealand and Australia.

2006 brought highs and lows. She had the upper-hand in the second edition of the Women’s World Cup, winning both rounds and clinching her first major international title but ruptured her knee ligaments later in the year and needed a five month break . ’06 was also notable for her success in two rounds from four in the American WMA series, giving her profile extra strength on two of the biggest stages for off-road motorcycle racing.

2007 was another memorable campaign in terms of results as Prumm again forged a 100% podium record in the Women’s World Cup. She was fourth in Germany and then won in Sweden before a truly dominant performance - where she was seconds faster each lap than any other rider in the sand of Lierop - confirmed her title defence in Holland.

Katherine will be pushing to emulate her success on the YZ250F this year as she works from the awning of the Dutch Van Beers set-up and with the Subway Yamaha team in Australia and New Zealand. A stylish and versatile rider as well as being a friendly and professional individual, Prumm is an excellent ambassador for women’s motocross as the interest and following of the sport grows annually.