The State of Women's Motocross
Podium Problems
At the 2014 James Stewart Freestone Spring Championship held on March 18-22 at Freestone in Wortham, Texas, Hannah Hodges took home three titles: Girls senior (12-16), schoolgirl (12-16), and womens amateur 14-plus. Many think Hodges can become the best female rider in the U.S., but without a professional female motocross circuit, Hodges' future earnings potential on dirtbikes is limited. Here's a look at some WMX stars who have been impacted by the recent changes to the former pro circuit.
At the 2014 James Stewart Freestone Spring Championship held on March 18-22 at Freestone in Wortham, Texas, Hannah Hodges took home three titles: Girls senior (12-16), schoolgirl (12-16), and womens amateur 14-plus.
Many think Hodges can become the best female rider in the U.S., but without a professional female motocross circuit, Hodges' future earnings potential on dirtbikes is limited.
Here's a look at some WMX stars who have been impacted by the recent changes to the former pro circuit.
Ashley Fiolek
Fiolek won X Games gold in Women's Moto X Super X in 2009 and 2010. She wrote about her experiences as a deaf motocross athlete in a book, "Kicking Up Dirt." She announced her retirement from women's Moto X racing in 2012.
Fiolek won X Games gold in Women's Moto X Super X in 2009 and 2010. She wrote about her experiences as a deaf motocross athlete in a book, "Kicking Up Dirt." She announced her retirement from women's Moto X racing in 2012.
Tarah Gieger
Born in Puerto Rico and raised in Florida, Tarah Gieger has been a professional motocross racer since 2003. Last year, she brought her X Games medal count up to seven with bronze medals in Women's Enduro X at X Games in Los Angeles and Foz do Iguau, Brazil.
Born in Puerto Rico and raised in Florida, Tarah Gieger has been a professional motocross racer since 2003. Last year, she brought her X Games medal count up to seven with bronze medals in Women's Enduro X at X Games in Los Angeles and Foz do Iguau, Brazil.
Vicki Golden
At X Games Los Angeles 2013, Vicki Golden got a bronze medal in Moto X Best Whip as the first female to earn an invitation to a freestyle Moto X event at the X Games. "I've been given an opportunity and I'm going to take the opportunity," Golden said afterward.
At X Games Los Angeles 2013, Vicki Golden got a bronze medal in Moto X Best Whip as the first female to earn an invitation to a freestyle Moto X event at the X Games. "I've been given an opportunity and I'm going to take the opportunity," Golden said afterward.
Ashley Fiolek
Born deaf, 23-year-old Ashley Fiolek has been making moves in the motocross world for years now. At age 18, she became the youngest Women's Motocross Association Champion ever, and in 2012, she earned her fourth career Women's Motocross title.
Born deaf, 23-year-old Ashley Fiolek has been making moves in the motocross world for years now. At age 18, she became the youngest Women's Motocross Association Champion ever, and in 2012, she earned her fourth career Women's Motocross title.
Hannah Hodges
Hodges became the women's amateur 12-plus champion and took eighth place in the super mini class (12-16) at the 2014 Ricky Carmichael Amateur Supercross held at Daytona Speedway on March 9-10.
Hodges became the women's amateur 12-plus champion and took eighth place in the super mini class (12-16) at the 2014 Ricky Carmichael Amateur Supercross held at Daytona Speedway on March 9-10.
Tarah Gieger
Gieger appeared in ESPN The Magazine's Body Issue in 2013. "I'm comfortable. Just having confidence makes you look that much better," Gieger said at the photo shoot.
Gieger appeared in ESPN The Magazine's Body Issue in 2013. "I'm comfortable. Just having confidence makes you look that much better," Gieger said at the photo shoot.
Hannah Hodges
Hodges competes in the 2013 Thor Winter Olympics (also known as Mini O's) held at Gatorback Cycle Park in Gainesville, Florida, in November. Hodges took home the girls (12-16) motocross and supercross championships, as well as Women 14-plus supercross championship.
Hodges competes in the 2013 Thor Winter Olympics (also known as Mini O's) held at Gatorback Cycle Park in Gainesville, Florida, in November. Hodges took home the girls (12-16) motocross and supercross championships, as well as Women 14-plus supercross championship.
Vicki Golden
Golden, who has been racing in the Women's Motocross Championship since 2008, also claimed victory in Women's Moto X Racing at X Games Los Angeles in 2013. She's been racing against guys for most of her career as well, and in 2011, she became the first women woman to place in the top 10 in an AMA Arenacross Lites Main event and the first woman to qualify for an AMA Arenacross Premier class.
Golden, who has been racing in the Women's Motocross Championship since 2008, also claimed victory in Women's Moto X Racing at X Games Los Angeles in 2013. She's been racing against guys for most of her career as well, and in 2011, she became the first women woman to place in the top 10 in an AMA Arenacross Lites Main event and the first woman to qualify for an AMA Arenacross Premier class.
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