Moto XX

People with two X chromosomes are still under-represented in motor sports. Still – because the women’s motocross scene is booming and is fetching more and more young, female talent into the spotlight. In an interview Tarah Gieger, 22 and second in the WMA Pro Series, talks about women’s motocross, hair salons and FMXers with a death wish.

You finished the WMA racing season as overall second on the last weekend in August. Are you happy about congratulations – or would that be the end of the conversation because you still haven’t digested your aggravation about the lost overall win?

I’m happy with how I rode this year in the WMA series. I gave it my best, but just had a few things not go my way, and fell a little short.

What did you learn from it?

This past year I’ve learned more then I have in any other season so far. Every day I went to the track, I was working on things in order to get better and faster because all I cared about was being on top. This year has made me hungrier than ever for that championship.

Since the founding of the WMA in 2004, women’s motocross is booming. How have you experienced the development of the scene?

I’m really fortunate to be one of the women in the forefront of the growing popularity in women’s motocross in recent years. The face of the sport is changing in that girls out there now are the same girls you find at a mall shopping or at a salon getting their hair done. Whereas in past years the standard woman racer was a bit more masculine. That’s not the case anymore, and I think it makes the sport more appealing.

You describe yourself as “a girl who still looks like a girl and can be cute, but doesn't spend so much time doing so that [you] can't go fast on the track.” Does it really still surprise people that a girl can ride a motorbike so well?

Yeah, because they haven't seen girls go this fast or ride this aggressively before. I put a lot of emphasis on the proper technique and that’s why I’m able to ride as fast as I do, and a lot of people just go out and try to haul ass without knowing how to do it. So I think I blow their minds because they can’t figure out how a girl can go faster than they can.

And what characteristics make you particularly fast on the track?

I think what makes me fast on the bike is my smooth riding style and the way I ride the track.

That you prefer to take the “road less traveled by” rather than take the one already trodden can be seen in your family background – you actually grew up in a surfshop in Aguadilla. What took you away from surfing and led you to motocross?

When I was younger I was really turned off by surfing because of how selfish a sport it was. It was really hard as a little kid to get in the lineup and try to catch a wave when everyone out there was trying to catch exactly that wave. With motocross, I didn’t have to go out and fight for a place on the track. It’s just a lot more enjoyable going to the track and riding with everyone there.

On September 22 and 23 you’ll be competing in the Red Bull Moto X of Nations in Budds Creek, Maryland. What are your expectations there?

I’ve been working really hard to be ready for the MXON so I can go out and show everyone what I can do, and that I deserve to be out there.

Because Travis Pastrana wants to concentrate on rally driving in the future there’ll also be room in FMX for new stars. A perspective for you to develop in the future?