Motocross — 07 July 2010


Courtsey of SpeedTV.com

For the last seven years, females have had the opportunity to compete in professional-caliber motocross races. Dominica “Miki” Keller founded the Women’s Motocross Association (WMA) in 2004 with hopes of one day giving women the chance to compete alongside the world’s fastest men in the AMA Pro Motocross Championship.

Keller dedicated her life to the growth of women’s motocross in America. She encountered numerous roadblocks, dead ends, and experienced several bouts of disappointment in her relentless battle. However, after a few years of hard work, the women’s division slowly began to garner attention, eventually receiving the opportunity to compete in select events alongside the men in an AMA-sanctioned WMA Championship.

Last season, the entire landscape of women’s motocross changed for the better. When MX Sports Pro Racing acquired control of AMA Pro Motocross prior to the 2009 season, they also acquired Keller’s WMA. As a result, the Women’s Motocross Championship (WMX) was created and the nation’s fastest females would now be showcased as an integral part of the world’s most prestigious dirt bike racing series.

During the gradual rise of women’s motocross, one rider dominated the competition to become the most successful female competitor in the history of the sport. Jessica Patterson captured five WMA championships and set the standard for all women’s motocross contenders. Just like their male counterparts, the Women’s Motocross Championship had their star rider and a face for the series. However, all that changed with the arrival of a new rider, further enhancing the landscape

In the season prior to MX Sports’ revolutionary acquisition, a 17-year-old girl burst onto the women’s motocross scene, winning the championship as a rookie and instantly putting the once unknown division of motocross into the spotlight. Ashley Fiolek was destined for stardom in the sport of motocross. She was young, attractive, and possessed the “it” factor that so many people talk about. But what made her even more appealing to the mainstream world was the fact that she was born deaf.

Fiolek’s story was one that no media outlet could ignore. She has been featured on ESPN’s E:60 and within the pages of ESPN the Magazine, the USA Today, and countless other newspapers. She’s even had a feature on CNN. She was the crossover athlete that the sport needed and after capturing two consecutive titles in her first two seasons as a pro, she became the adversary that Jessica Patterson needed from a series-wide standpoint.

When Fiolek emerged in 2008, it caught Patterson by surprise. For a half decade, she dominated the class and was virtually untouchable. But when the then 17-year-old came into the class and took wins with relative ease, it forced the winningest rider in women’s motocross to either step up her game or step away.

With a brand new eight-race championship in tow and a spot alongside the men, a new era of women’s motocross kicked off in 2009. Fiolek was the rider to beat and Patterson was determined to reclaim her spot at the top. However, her challenge became significantly more difficult when Fiolek helped take the sport to yet another new level — a level that Miki Keller had dreamed of when she established the WMA back in 2004. With the help of Honda Red Bull Racing, Fiolek became the first female in American motocross history to earn a full factory-supported ride.

Throughout the 2009 season, the advantage Fiolek possessed was clear. However, by season’s send, other teams that had become well known for their success in the men’s classes followed suit and Patterson was one of the riders given the opportunity to ride elite equipment. While Fiolek went on to capture her second consecutive title, the gap between the class’ biggest stars had begun to close.

The respect Fiolek and Patterson have for one another is what you would expect from the two biggest names in their sport, but it stops there. You will never see the duo together off the track and you won’t ever see them much acknowledgement other than the occasion head nod. Fiolek is open about her praise of Patterson, recognizing that without her women’s motocross wouldn’t be as competitive as it is today. However, Patterson remains very tight lipped about her counterpart — almost as if she feels Fiolek hasn’t earned the amount of attention she’s received, winning only two championships as opposed to her five. However, Patterson understands that Fiolek’s role in the sport has been beneficial for every female in the paddock and that is more evident than ever this season.

If there was ever a point in which the WMX Class had “made it” as a legitimate series and competitive class in the sport of motocross, 2010 would be that time. The females have title sponsorship from MotorcycleUSA.com and will compete at a pair of new venues, including the legendary RedBud this weekend. As arguably the most popular track in American motocross amongst riders and fans, the addition of the WMX to such a renowned facility over the nation’s Independence Day weekend is a significant step in the progression of the division.

But what has been even more impressive about the 2010 WMX season is the amount of teams that have stepped up to support the women.

With Fiolek leading the way at Honda Red Bull Racing, seven additional WMX competitors are part of factory-supported programs that have helped give male motocross competitors a chance to compete on contending rides:

Jessica Patterson – DNA Shred Stix/Star Racing Yamaha
Sherri Cruse – Suzuki City/Nitro Circus
Sara Price – Monster Energy Kawasaki
Vicki Golden – MotoConcepts Yamaha
Sarah Whitmore – Jagermeister KTM
Mariana Balbi – MotoConcepts Yamaha
Tarah Gieger – Troy Lee Designs/Lucas Oil Honda

As a result, the WMX Class is deeper than ever and the competition within the field is closer than ever before. Since the arrival of Fiolek and subsequent loss of her championship reign, Patterson has completely revamped her entire program. She joined forces with former top competitor Ryan Hughes and entered the 2010 season fitter and more determined. So far through three rounds it’s worked. With a legitimate bike under her and a new outlook on what it takes to be competitive, Patterson has showed she still has a lot left in the tank and has a perfect season to this point. Her sixth championship is in sight.

It’s been a long time coming, but women’s motocross in America is finally taking shape. Keller’s dream has become a reality and with the support of MX Sports and one-off events like the X-Games, the future of WMX is deservedly bright.

[News & Picture Source]

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