The Unforgettable
The WMX series is now, as you well know, over and done. Jessica Patterson did what many never thought she would do again; she beat Ashley Fiolek after being dethroned in both 2007 and 2008. Patterson won handily, taking 10 out of 16 moto wins and placing second in the remaining six. Fiolek was actually lucky to keep it as close as she did. The simple truth of the matter is, Patterson was untouchable this year. She worked harder, rode smarter, got on the right equipment and did what she had to do, and for that we pay her homage.
I truly believe that twenty years from now the battles between Jessica Patterson and Ashley Fiolek will be remembered as some of the best times in women’s motocross. With Patterson being the first new age women’s champ and Fiolek and her unbelievable story, these two women will one day be looked at as the Godmothers of women’s motocross, and for good reason. Both have exceeded the expectations of what was once thought possible in women’s motocross and both are fantastic champions. But what’s next? What about when these two lay down their helmets? What then?
A new champion must step up and somehow manage to expand on the accomplishments of these two, that’s what. When Patterson and Fiolek close up the trailer for good someone must be waiting in the wing to push women’s motocross to the next level, for without progression comes stagnation, and when things get stagnant they lose popularity. Women’s motocross has crossed huge boundaries over the last decade, but the fight isn’t over. New champions must rise and new challenges conquered. And while finding the next big thing in women’s motocross is still a ways away, it’s never too early to start looking.
The Field
While the WMA, err, WMX series has bolstered few headlines over the years that didn’t include the names Ashley Fiolek or Jessica Patterson in them, there are, believe it or not, a lot of other talented women riders competing in the series. This is our end of season ode to them.
3rd Overall (295pts): Tarah Geiger
Geiger was fortunate enough to get picked up by the Lucas Oil/Troy Lee Honda team this year and she did them proud by finishing out the series in third. Geiger has fought injury through much of her career and to see her back in championship form was refreshing. She finished the season off with a handful of podium finishes, which included two second place moto scores at Hangtown and Spring Creek. If Geiger manages to do all her homework over the offseason she could be a legitimate title contender in 2011.
4th Overall (252 pts): Vicki Golden
After a gnarly crash that took her our of competition earlier than expected in 2009, Golden showed up for her sophomore season poised and ready for competition. From a birds eye view, Golden was fast but her consistency wasn’t quite on par with the top three of Patterson, Fiolek and Geiger. However, she’s also lacks the experience of the top three, so this was to be expected. Golden will only get better, and for the growth of the sport as a whole, that’s a good thing. Look for her to make an appearance on the podium quite a few more times in 2011. Her career is just getting started.
5th Overall (239 pts): Mariana Balbi
Motoconcepts lone female rider, Mariana Balbi of Brazil improved drastically from her 8th overall run in 2009. A direct reflection of hard work and the proper team support. She was able to make a late season charge on Kawasaki’s Sara Price for 5th in the points chase and is riding a wave of momentum that she hopes will carry her into next season. She’s no new comer to the series and she knows what it takes to win races. While we’re hesitant to call her a title threat in 2011, we wouldn’t be a bit surprised to see her prove us wrong.
6th – 10th Overall: Sara Price (230 pts), Alexah Pearson (202), Sarah Whitmore (201), Tatum Sik (179), Jacqueline Strong (154)
Making the top ten in any series is no small feat. Here’s a quick breakdown of where we see each of these young ladies in 2011. Sara Price can be a title contender. She just needs to hone in and make things happen. If not for a poor second moto at the opener in Hangtown and a 22nd in the second moto at Pala, Price would have actually finished the season much higher. Look for big things from her in 2011.
This was Pearson’s rookie season and she managed to edge out the veteran, Sarah Whitmore for 7th by one point. It was a solid season for Pearson and one we are sure she will build on. Whitmore, however, is leaving 2010 with a chip on her shoulder. No experienced rider likes to get beat by a rookie, and she’ll take that and work even harder to ensure it doesn’t happen again next year. As for Sik ans Strong, both showed flashes of brilliance in 2010, and like most, if they can find a way to be consistent throughout eight rounds, they too should increase their stock in 2011.
