The official launch of the first POWR (Professional Organization of Women's Racing) Women's Pro Shootout was presented by Answer/Pro Taper in Hog Heaven MX Park in Godwin (North Carolina). The fastest female riders where there to try to cash in the 15.000$ purse that was offered to the winners.

It made me think about this reality, being a woman in the MX industry, surviving in a male dominant sport. How do women make their way?

 

 

I got in touch with Alexa West#36, a US amateur female rider who gave me another portrait of being a woman in the motocross industry. She just decided to abandon her dream of being a pro one day. She was generous and honnest enough to share why with me.

 

 

Alexa West: Okay. I'd like to start by saying that I'm not trying to be super negative over here, but I no longer really support women's pro racing. I went to the POWR shoot out, not even with the intent of racing the pro class, I really didn't want much to do with it. I hadn't looked into the event at all, I hadn't checked out the purse for the women, I honestly only went because that's one of my favorite tracks. But Debbie talked me into racing the pro class, and while it was a really fun experience, and I learned a lot, I don't know if I would do it again. I did badly that weekend, and that's due entirely to the fact that I had completely given up until that point. I quit training, I barely rode, I was just over it. It started at the beginning of this year when mxsports changed the rules of Loretta Lynn's to allow all women pros, former and current, to race at the national. And there's a lot of controversy about that, and different opinions, but my personal one is: as an amateur, if I have to race against pros, at an AMATEUR national, I have nothing to work for. I know I'm not fast enough to compete with pros yet, so why try? So I quit training. I raced some, but all in all I just threw in the towel and gave up. This sport takes too much from you, mentally, physically, financially, and even emotional and it gives you nothing back. I can't give something my all and know that I'll never get anything out of it. Girls can't make a living at racing anymore, there was only a few that ever could. I hate to be such a downer, but I honestly don't see any future in it anymore. I may be wrong, and I hope I am, but that's where I'm at right now. I used to have a real dream of becoming a pro women's motocross racer, but as sad as it is, that dream has died. And it kills me to write this right now, but I think it's time for me to move on and get a real job and start out my life. Racing for fun is great, but as far as a career, that dream is over for me. 

- Alexa West, #36 forever