Australian motorcycle battle of the sexes
Four of Australia's best female motorcycles racers compete against their male counterparts in the Honda Motorcycles Head2Head EnduroCross at this wekeend's Sydney Motorcycle Show.
Tayla Jones and Jemma Wilson, both members of Australia’s International Six Day Enduro FIM Women’s Trophy-winning team will be joined by five-time Australian National Trials Champion Kristie McKinnon, and fellow trials rider Rhianna Buchanan.
Jones, who won the Women’s 2015 Enduro X National title, said the event would provide a good opportunity for the girls to show what they can do.
“I am so excited to be racing against the guys,” said Jones. “It is a great opportunity for all of us girls to show what we can do.
The event provides an opportunity for fellow competitor Kristie McKinnon, to race in front of a home crowd. McKinnon is a qualified aircraft engineer who has won five national trials championships, and has enjoyed international endurocross success.
The 30-year old has represented Australia on six occasions in the Trials des Nations, placed 3rd overall in the 2014 Australian Enduro X Championship and finished second at the 2014 AMA EnduroCross finale in Las Vegas.
“To be honest it is a bit nerve racking to be racing against the guys but it should also be a lot of fun,” McKinnon said.
“While I normally ride trails, I have raced a lot of endurocross overseas including last year’s X-Games.
“This is a different format to what we are all used to which will really spice things up. I am also excited to be racing in my home town,” she added.
The Head2Head EnduroCross will see the girls take on some of Australia’s best male racers including Will Ruprecht, Luca Bussa, Ben Grabham, Jack Field and Peter Boyle.
Riders will compete on a track that incorporates all the standard endurocross obstacles including logs, tyres and sand within the 3000 seat Charles Moses Stadium.
Friday’s ‘Media Walk’ is open to the public for the first time and will host reveals from Yamaha, Suzuki, Harley Davidson, Ducati, Victory, Indian, Kawasaki, Triumph, MV August, Royal Enfield and BMW.
The show will also pay homage to Australia’s motorcycle stunt industry, with special guest Robbie Maddison.