Stefy Bau Becomes Youthstream's Women's MX Manager

November 5, 2007, 1:43pm

FUNCHAL, 5 November 2007- After the recently announced upgrade from World Cup to World Championship, the FIM Women’s Motocross World Championship sees former Champion Stefy Bau enter Youthstream as the Manager of the series.

The delicate task given to Bau confirms Youthstream’s commitment into the series, which will feature a total of five rounds in 2008, to be held together with the FIM MX1/MX2 Grand Prix’s:

· 11 May, Italy, Mantova

· 18 May, Bulgaria, Sevlievo

· 15 June, France, St. Jean D’Angely

· 29 June, Germany, Teutschenthal

· 7 September, Benelux, Lierop

Stefy Bau is one of the most qualified professionals for developing this project, which aims at having a total of events from 8 to 10 by the 2010 season. Youthstream believes that this Championship will open a complete new market for Motocross, bringing the sport to many women’s TV programs and magazines, and also helping to involve new sponsors linked to the women’s world. Bau’s important presence will surely accelerate this process.

Stefania “Stefy” Bau was born in Saronno, Italy, on the 17th of February 1977, in a family having a strong passion for motorsports. Stefy started racing motocross on a pit-bike at the age of six, then moved forward to the 125cc class in 1991. She won seven Women National Titles before moving to America in 1999, and winning two AMA Titles and two AMA International Cups. In 2000 she entered the Lites class in the AMA Outdoor Nationals, but in 2005 Bau suffered a significant crash, breaking both ankles and ending her career.

The FIM Women’s Motocross World Cup started in 2005, and the first winner was German Stephanie Laier. Laier handed the number one to Kiwi Katherine Prumm in 2006, and the Molson Kawasaki rider retained the crown also in 2007, when Kawasaki fellow rider Livia Lancelot eventually ended second, after finishing the previous two seasons in third place. 2007 discovered a handful of new talents, such as first round winner Larissa Papenmeier from Germany, and compatriot Maria Franke, who ended the season with a brilliant third place.