Lucy Barker enjoyed a memorable home Grand Prix at Foxhill, delivering one of the standout performances of her WMX season in front of a passionate British crowd finishing sixth overall.
The British rider showed impressive pace throughout the weekend, battling at the sharp end of the field and securing a strong top-four result in the second moto. After working extensively on her starts in the build-up to the event, Barker’s preparation paid off as she launched herself into contention from the opening laps.
For Barker, racing her first-ever home WMX Grand Prix was a moment she will never forget.
“We have worked really hard for the last five weeks on the starts. Basically every day we have been doing them and I think that showed. A big thank you to the team around me for letting me do that and working with me. It felt incredible, I can’t describe it to anybody, it’s indescribable, it’s surreal. The adrenaline got me through that, the crowd was just amazing”, Barker told GateDrop.com.
After a crash in the opening race where she pushed too hard while chasing Kiara Fontanesi, Barker bounced back strongly on Sunday and showed the pace needed to run inside the top group.
“I was catching Kiara (Fontanesi) yesterday, obviously I was on a complete high – she was riding super good. I was just pushing a bit too hard instead of letting the race come to me. Unfortunately I messed up on my behalf but today I bounced back and I learnt so much and rode great. I knew I had done two laps at the front in the first moto, so today I wanted to do three laps which I did. Then I dropped to third and then I went back to fourth but then I kept it there. The top four is good for me – my pace in practice needs to come to the GP’s now. We are eventually getting there – step by step”.
The Foxhill circuit provided a special atmosphere for the WMX riders, with Barker praising the work carried out to create a track that suited the class.
“I’ve never raced a home GP before this but it is a feeling like no other. The track was a bit more hard pack today but they left it really good for us girls. It was perfect, I couldn’t fault the track – everything was spot on”.
Barker has also benefited from the experience and guidance around her, including her Brother, James. As he doesn’t race anymore he can spend more time helping his Sister.
“James helps me out a lot. He isn’t always saying just the good things either He doesn’t always be too nice with me – even now after such a good race. He was telling me what the top three were doing and I wasn’t, so that’s nice. It’s nice to have him because he has so much experience at this level. I know it was only a few years but he knows a lot but he can really help because he knows a lot. I don’t run with him, he is way too fast for me but we cycle together so he inspires me – he trains really hard – he parties hard now too but he’s doing what he loves. I am happy he is still around, I don’t know if he’ll ever get back on a bike again but we’ll see”.
The support from her team has also played a huge role in Barker’s progress, with Kenny Vandueren receiving special praise for his commitment.
“Kenny “(Vandueren), I cannot praise him enough. Wow, he does so much for me. He’s here away from his family so a big thank you to them for allowing it. I wouldn’t be standing here today without him”.
Looking ahead to the next part of the season, Barker is excited for more sand racing after enjoying strong results on softer terrain, including a fourth overall finish at Arnhem last season.
“I still have got my best result at Arnhem in the sand with a fourth overall so that was a good weekend for me. I love the track, love the sand and I’ve been working really hard in Lommel quite a lot. Also the past few weeks, we’ve done a bit of sand. We have been on the hard pack a lot too so now it’s time for more sand and to switch it up and put the work in”.
With WMX continuing to grow in America, Barker also admitted that a future move to race in America could be something to consider. A decision has not yet been made if she will line up at the season finale in Australia – she is keen to challenge for a future world title!
“On Australia, oh I don’t know yet, we need to have a family meeting and then we’ll decide. For sure, WMX is getting bigger in America whereas here it is shrinking a bit for us girls. But you can’t be a world champion there, so in the future we will see”, Barker concluded.
After a weekend full of emotion, Barker leaves Foxhill with confidence boosted and clear signs that she is continuing to progress on the world stage.
“Step by step” could prove to be the perfect summary of her 2026 WMX campaign so far.
