On Friday, two of Australia’s best female Moto Trials riders, lined up against the rest of the World for the final round of the 2010 World Women’s Trials Championship at Myślenice, Poland.
Ballarat (VIC) local Brooke Lonie and Kristie McKinnon, who hails from Oberon NSW, are in Poland along with Kyogle NSW’s Ailsa Anderson, for the 2010 Trial des Nations team event, and rode the final round of the Women’s Championship.
Despite riding unfamiliar bikes and conditions, the two girls put in a stellar effort, with Lonie managing an impressive 31st place while McKinnon proved she has what it takes to ride in the big league placing a staggering 16th place following on from the previous round held in the Czech Republic where she placed a career high of 11th place.
Speaking after the round, McKinnon said that while the conditions were challenging it was a great opportunity to ride with the best in the World.
“It’s really motivating to ride against the girls at this level,” McKinnon said.
“By seeing them ride, I know that there’s still a lot more that I can do and it makes me want to try so much harder.
“It’s brilliant to have the World Round as a practice run to get used to the terrain, and over here you need to use a very different style.
“It’s so motivating, especially at the previous round - to get so close to the top 10, is something I never believed I could do, so I’m super pumped to get back and work even harder for next year!”
Lonie, who has been trying to fit Year 12 studies around plane trips and training sessions, was stoked with her efforts
“Riding at the World Round was really great as it gave us a taste of what to expect at the Trial des Nations,” Lonie said.
“To get a chance to ride the sections and identify what’s really hard and consider new ways of riding it.
“Especially given how the sections are going to change after having 60 or so bikes go through it.
“As I’m riding on a different bike, I was really happy to make it through all the sections: at the World rounds there’s usually something that I can’t get through but I managed to get through them all and I even got through a few without losing any points.
“Being able to ride against the top girls and seeing how they ride and their commitment to the sport is amazing – quite intimidating at times but inspiring none the less!”
For more information about the Australian Teams contending the 2010 Trial des Nations stay tuned to the Motorcycling Australia website at: www.ma.org.au or visit MA’s dedicated Trial des Nations page.