"Now the whole world knows we're out there"

Tarah Gieger made motocross history at the X Games. Which motor drives the 22-year-old American to her successes, she disclosed in an interview.

Congratulations on your X Games gold, Tarah! Have you got any idea how your life might change because of it?

I don't really know what would change too much since winning gold, other than my being able to say I have an X Games gold medal.

What’s the best thing about being the first X Games winner in the women’s Moto X?

It’s another opportunity to get my name into the history books for being first at something. Plus, I don't have to stress about winning it next year. I'm going to try my hardest to do it again, but now I can sit back and know I’ve already won.

Whose congratulations tickled you the most?

I was really pumped by how impressed Ricky Carmichael and Doug Henry were with the way I rode. That was a huge compliment – and also how surprised they were at my whip over the finish line.

For a long time now Moto X has had the image of only being a sport for tough guys. What importance does the X Games debut hold for the public acknowledgement of women’s Moto X – and for continuing to boost the chances, professionalism, standard and prize money?

It's probably the biggest boost we’ve ever had. Now the whole world knows we’re out there, what we can do and also what we look like. Now they can see it's not a butch sport anymore, and we’re working hard to be better riders everyday.

Do female riders only look a bit different underneath their racing suits or is there a masculine and a feminine way of riding Moto X?

There’s a big difference between what a man can do on a dirt bike compared to a woman. Physically we’re just not as strong. There’s no way we could ever compete in motocross against the top men. We have to rely much more on technique and skill on the bike to go fast. We can't just go out there and pound through everything.

Before the X Games you already made sporting history: in 2007, when you took part as the first woman ever in the Moto X of Nations. How do you feel in your role as a pioneer? Proud? Under pressure? Or do you just take it in your stride because Tarah Gieger simply rides for Tarah Gieger and not for an idea, a nation or anything else?

My first goal in everything is to accomplish it for myself. Though it’s nice to have the opportunity, like at the MXON, to represent my country and be a pioneer for women’s motocross. It does help motivate me and keep me going, knowing that I’m accomplishing these things for other people as well.

You seem to be a very multi-faceted character. You love Megadeth and are one of the best female motocross rider in the world; at the same time, you’re afraid of lizards and horror films; and you’d actually like to be a pro surfer in the ASP World Tour. What sort of person would you describe yourself as being?

I’m just a very goal-driven person. In everything I do I want to do the best I can. If I'm surfing I want to do the best maneuvers I’ve ever done every time I stand up. If I'm riding I want to go through every corner better than the last. I’m simply driven, and I guess this is what’s got me where I am.

Now it’s about using the X Games momentum for the last two WMA rounds. What do you think your chances are of being able to crack the overall top 3?

I think I have a very good chance, if I can stay out of trouble in the last two rounds. I’m always one of the fastest at the races but it does me no good to be buried in the pack. If I can get a good start there’s no reason why I can't win and end up on the podium at the end.