Katja Poensgen

Katja Poensgen (born 23 September 1976) is a German former professional motorcycle racer. She was the first female competitor to qualify for a 250cc Grand Prix race. In 2011, Poensgen was inducted into the FIM Hall of Fame for her pioneering Grand Prix racing career.

Motorcycle racing career Poensgen was born in Mindelheim, Germany as the daughter of the German importer for Suzuki motorcycles. She began riding motorcycles at the age of four. She started her motorcycle racing career in 1993 competing in the ADAC Junior Cup. In 1995, Poensgen rode a Suzuki RGV250 to become the first female to win the Junior Cup in Germany.

In 2001, Poensgen moved to the 250cc class in Grand Prix motorcycle racing. On April 8, 2001, Poensgen became the first female competitor to qualify for a 250cc Grand Prix race at the 2001 Japanese Grand Prix.

Career statistics Supersport World Championship

Races by year Year Bike 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Pts 1998 Suzuki GBR ITA SPA GER20 ITA ZAF USA GBR AUT NED 0

Superstock European Championship Races by year (key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap) Year Bike 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Pos Pts 2000 Suzuki DONRet MNZ10 HOC5 SMR2 VALRet BRA7 OSC4 NED6 BRA211 6th 74 2002 Suzuki VAL MNZ SIL LAUDSQ SMR BRA OSC NED IMO NC 0

Grand Prix motorcycle racing By season SeasonClassMotorcycleTeamRaceWinPodPoleFLapPtsPos 2001 250cc Aprilia Dark Dog Racing Factory 14 0 0 0 0 2 30th Honda Shell Advance Honda 2003 250cc Honda Dark Dog Molenaar 10 0 0 0 0 0 NC Total 24 0 0 0 0 2

Races by year (key) Year Class Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Pts 2001 250cc Aprilia JPN22 RSA24 SPA23 FRADNS ITA14 CAT26 NEDRet GBR23 GER20CZE 30th 2 Honda POR20 VAL24 PAC26 AUS19 MALRet BRA26 2003 250cc Honda JPN20 RSARet SPADNQ FRADNQ ITADNQ CAT17 NED18 GBR19 GER18 CZE20 PORRet BRADNS PAC MAL17 AUSRet VAL NC 0