British MX Champ Launches All-Female Motocross Academy

British MXGP champion Lauren Collingwood has established the UK’s first all-female motocross training academy, aiming to inspire more women and girls to embrace the sport. The initiative, known as the Girls That Moto project, offers training days at various locations across the UK, catering to all ages and experience levels.

Collingwood, who began racing at the age of six, reflects on the challenges women face in the motocross world. “When I started, there were only a handful of girls racing,” she said. “As I got older, I realized that opportunities for women in the sport were—and still are—far fewer than those available to men. Even at the same level, the support isn’t the same.”

Despite competing in a male-dominated field, Collingwood has achieved remarkable success as a five-time British MXGP champion, a Super Cross Championship winner, and a competitor in the European MXGP. “I’m currently racing in the British championship and as many other championships as I can in the UK. We aim to participate in more world championship rounds, but as a privateer, it’s incredibly challenging to access all of them,” she added.

Many training sessions are held in Collingwood’s hometown of Doncaster, specifically at Fat Cat Motoparc. The project primarily caters to women and girls already familiar with two wheels, although they may not have experience in off-road riding.

The response has been promising so far, with a mix of participants ranging from beginners to those competing in championships. Collingwood emphasizes the collaborative spirit of the training: “We work together to bring out the best in every single one of them!”

Through the Girls That Moto project, Collingwood hopes to create a supportive environment where female riders can develop their skills, gain confidence, and ultimately break down the barriers in a traditionally male-dominated sport.

For more https://www.motorcyclenews.com/news/2024/august/women-s-motocross-academy/