2024 was my first year going up to the Small Wheel 85cc class and it was a bit of an up and down year. I was so eager to get a full year under my belt after I broke my leg in 2023 taking me out for 4 months of the race season.
This year I wanted to have a different challenge, so we decided to race with Southerly MX and I am so glad we did the whole year was incredible and I met so many new amazing riders throughout the year. I also completed in the NORA92 British Cup and planned to compete in the Dursley Championship.
I started the year feeling strong and the winter training I had been completing peaked towards the start of the season. I started the year hitting top 10s in all of my races and was feeling great. I was really starting to gel with the bike and enjoying all of the races that I competed in. At the first NORA92 British Cup of the year I felt great finishing just outside the prize money positions and was really looking forward to the rest of the season.
Disaster then struck at the first round of the Dursley Club Championship. I had a crash and got my foot caught on the bike as I fell and broke my ankle. Gutted didn’t even cover it!
After a few days to get my head around the disappointment of missing another year we started to work on recovery. I had a lot of support from the NORA team and especially Coach Robb. We came up with a plan to maintain my fitness and work on recovery as soon as possible. I also worked closely with my sports therapist George Slater to get me back as soon as possible. Unfortunately, I missed a round of the NORA92 British Cup so I was out of that Championship and a round of the Dursley Club Championship meaning I wouldn’t not be in a position to finish that Championship either. So, all focus went to the Southerly MXC Championship. I had 4 weeks until the next round and I could only drop 3 races so had to compete in at least 1 day if I wanted to be in any chance of taking the Championship. Thankfully, I made it and even managed to compete in all 6 races thanks to the fitness and strengthening plan from Coach Robb and the prep and taping tips from George.
The rest of the year was hard, it took a lot of my confidence and I found myself riding reserved because of the fear of crashing. I started to feel myself again by the end of the year and managed to get some good results consistently staying close to or in the top 10.
My biggest highlight of the year was finding out that I had won the Southerly Girls Championship which I had no idea about until the presentation. I didn’t finish where I wanted too against the boys but I was stoked to finally take my first Championship title and I will be competing hard again next year to make sure I retain that title.
Now, looking forward to 2025! I will be competing in the Southerly MX Championship again and the Hampshire Club Championship. A new one for me but it will be nice to compete in a Championship I used to watch my dad race in. I will also be competing in the NORA 92 British Cup (as many rounds as possible) the MX Master Kids UK and hoping to compete in the 2-Stroke Festival. I’m excited for 2025!
I want to send a special thank you to everyone that has helped me this whole year. I want to say massive thank you to Andy & Gemma for believing in me and allowing me to be part of the NORA CRS Development team, Coach Robb for all the health and fitness support, to Lee for all the training and to my Sister, Mum and Dad for always supporting me and helping me achieve everything I want to. I couldn’t do this without all of you. 2024 has been tough but with everyone’s support I got through and still came out with some really good results. I am really looking forward to working with you all again in 2025.
Photo Credit – Scorch Images
