I originally wrote this piece for my old website four years ago but these girls are so deserving of recognition that I felt compelled to repost it.
Recently, I took the opportunity to attend the 2005 WMA (Women’s Motocross Association) Cup at Cycle Ranch in Floresville, Texas. With little fanfare, the top female riders in the world converged on this tiny Texas town to decide who reigns supreme in the world of women’s motocross.
The usual suspects were in attendance – Jessica Patterson (USA), Sarah Whitmore (USA), Steffi Laier (Germany), Elin Mann (Sweden) – while others such as Vanessa Florentino (USA), Larissa Papenmeier (Germany) and Elien De Winter (Belgium) were making their debut. Notably absent was Tara Gieger (USA) who was unfortunately out with an injury.
Vanessa Florentino
No stranger to the racing scene, my original reason for attending the event was solely to research pre-race exercise and nutritional strategies for an upcoming article. Quite quickly, however, I found myself transformed from casual observer to enthusiastic fan.
Rather than taking notes, I wound up taking photographs. Instead of walking the pits, I was running to keep up with the action. With the uncommon blend of aggression and grace that these ladies displayed one couldn’t help but get caught up in the competition. Yet, as captivating as the racing was, the racers were even more so.
Elien De Winter and April Zastrow
Amid an exotic blend of English, German, Italian, and Dutch I witnessed firsthand a camaraderie and genuine goodwill rarely found at the highest level of competition. The conversations were friendly and absent of ego. It was refreshing to see these top athletes, even as they signed autographs, be truly surprised by their newfound celebrity.
Katie McGuire and Vanessa Florentino
While all intriguing in their own right, one rider in particular caught my attention – Josephine Adlam (New Zealand). At 36, Josephine was competing against girls at least ten years her junior with nine riders half her age or less! While I imagine she did not have the ride she had hoped for (20-20, 22nd overall), I am sure her mere presence earned the respect of her fellow riders. As a fellow thirty-something, she certainly earned mine.
Josephine Adlam
With race time approaching, the lighthearted atmosphere grew more businesslike especially with the intimidating arrival of Jessica Patterson – the odds-on favorite to win the event. Save for some last-second advice from their coaches/mechanics/husbands or fathers, hardly a word was spoken as they made their way to the gate; the profound silence concealing anxiety and confidence alike.
Waiting atop their monstrous machines, with feet unable to reach the ground, some riders looked more like pixies than professional athletes. But, as the gates dropped and they roared away, there remained little doubt as to the tenacity and athleticism of these ladies. The race was on.
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