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 met there where 15.000$ were offered for the winners. It made me think about this reality, being a woman in the industry, in a male dominant sport. Let's ask the girls what they think about it!

 

IM: How do women make their way? 

 

CF: I think woman’s way isn’t so different then mans, I mean its pretty much the same. You must train hard, be focus, be a good person an of course make good results.

 

IM: Is female victory pay’s like male victory? If not, why?

 

CF: In my i can be really happy I live really well with mx and I am probably the highest paid girl in the world of mx. It’s for sure a lot different then the man mans who win get more cause they also ride more then us. Men’s mx in Europe is way more popular then women’s class.

 

IM: If the costs are very close but the rewards are not the same, how do you survive?

CF: This is not my case. If it was, i would stop racing and doing something else.

 

 

IM: What do woman would need from the industry in terms of sponsoring, recognition, interest and coverage? What support are you still dreaming of?

CF: I’m pretty happy about what I have right now. I can almost have everything I want so I think that’s enough I will anyway work to get this better and better!

 

 

 IM: Do women athletes have the same opportunities to have viable careers in MX like men?

CF: I think yes but this depends from many things, sponsor, money and the development of our championship and sport!

 

 IM: How do you maximize your athletic potential and how do you survive between training/job/travel/kids maybe?

CF: That’s not really easy, especially this year I been travelling a lot and almost never home and still now im really busy I had 10 days off in January.  that’s exhausting but that’s my life and I wouldn’t  change it for nothing ! Its difficult because you still want give time to friends and my boyfriend of course and something you would like to disappear for a while and doing nothing but that’s not possible and if that’s would had be possible I would had be not 3 times world champion.

 

IM: Ashley Fiolek, Jessica Patterson, Tarah Gieger, Sarah Whitmore, Sherri Cruse or Jolene Van Vugt... All these ladies gave a new light to the sport for female motocross racers. Do you agree? Why? Which female rider was a real inspiration for you?

CF:  I really can’t tell cause I don’t know them that well. Im not American and you guys live so far that seems another word so I don’t know. Even when I was younger I always heard about Ashley until I met her and it was for me a really good experience, I was only 13 years old and my first time in the states and It was at Loretta lynns ! Then I met her again in Europe for the world championship and we always “ spoke “ a little bit, I never saw her as a rival but as a friend even if we don’t see each other a lot! I have a lot of respect and esteem for Ashley!! 

 

 IM: One thing is obvious, women are not giving up and they make names for themselves in competitions, what do you personally wish for the evolution of female riders?

CF: To could have one big championship where all the best riders can come up against each other’s and then maybe a sx championship for the ladies!!

 

 IM: What exposure will be the best? Do women need to compete next to the men in a SX to be seen?

CF: Be together in the same series would be the best. We do exactly the same sport and its fair to be competing the same day, I would love to have our own sx championship.

 

M: Kiara, what do you think about our little genius Eve Brodeur? You rode with her at POWR?

 

KF: I was very happy to see that young girl ride. Been a while since I have seen such a young girl being that fast. I see myself 5 years ago when I look at her ride. I’m really stoked that we have exchange our jersey’s together. Thumb’s up to you Ève