KEY POINTS:
South Auckland rider Katherine Prumm has jumped to the top of the women's world motocross championship for the first time this year after podium finishes in France overnight (NZ time).
The defending world champion finished third and second in the two races at the French grand prix despite riding with a ruptured ligament in her right knee.
The 19-year-old now leads the championship even though German Stephanie Laier beating her in both races.
French rider Livia Lancelot, Prumm's main rival for the 2008 crown, made a few errors in both races and that cost her victory.
She pulled away at the start of race one an error allowed Laier to overtake and win while Lancelot held on to finish second and Prumm settled for third.
In the second race Lancelot was again the quickest starter, but Laier took the lead one lap later and held on as Prumm pounced on a Lancelot mistake and moved up to second.
The series now heads to Teutschenthal, Germany, on June 29, and then wraps up in the Netherlands on September 7.
Prumm has said she has booked knee re-construction surgery for later in September.
WMX standings
Katherine Prumm (NZ, Yamaha) 122 points 1, Livia Lancelot (France, Kawasaki) 120 2, Ashley Fiolek (US, Honda) 102 3, Maria Franke (Germany, Kawasaki) 101 4, Stephanie Laier (Germany, KTM) 100 5.
- NZPA
