Motocross: Agony & Ecstasy
Photography, Chiara Mottironi. Creative direction and film, Joe Page-Brown
Motocross is a fast and furious sport that’s as mentally demanding as it is physically. This isn’t road racing. This is riding full suspension motorbikes that slide out and about from under you on muddy terrain while tackling huge jumps and trying to beat the competition. It’s a lot.
At just 14 years old, Beanie Reece is setting the pace in the sport, competing against boys in the British Youth Championship and girls in the British Women's Motocross Championship making her mark on motocross across the UK. We spoke to her about the demands of the sport and the exhilarating payback.
As one of the few girls in the sport, Beanie races regularly and beats boys in her class on her Kawasaki KX 85 Big Wheel, riding for Kawasaki on Team Green: Fast and Female. Riding motocross is physically demanding, as Beanie explains, “You need to be extremely fit. Most Grand Prix riders also train on motocross bikes to develop their core skills of dealing with a bike when it slips.”
If you watch any motocross race, this is one of the core factors the riders have to deal with, a high-performance lightweight bike slipping away from them in the middle of a race, but the danger involved isn’t something Beanie has time to worry about, “I don’t really have time to think about being scared. The bike is always moving around underneath me, but you get used to it and concentrate on going as fast as you can.”
The race isn’t just physically demanding; riders have to be mentally on their game at all times. A slip in focus could lose you more than just your position in the race. Understanding the intricacies of controlling your bike, reading the track, and your competitors are all part of the mental skills needed to succeed, “There is a lot to think about, so you have to concentrate totally if you want to do well.” Beanie and her Dad make sure to set time aside before each race to cover the strategy side of each competition, “My Dad and I talk about various possibilities depending on who’s riding. We talk about possible situations at practice and look for ways to get an advantage. We’ll come up with a strategy for certain parts of the track so I know what to do and when.”
Motocross is a fast-moving sport that demands drive and fearlessness. With all the strategy in the world, you’re not going to get anywhere without the ambition to get out there first. “The start is critical. When the gate drops, I always want to get the Hole Shot - I want to be in the lead at the first corner. If I can do that, I have a clear track ahead while the others are fighting amongst themselves. The races are only 12-15 minutes long, so there is not a lot of time to gain places if you get a bad start.”
Being involved in motocross has given Beanie and her Dad a very touching closeness. Beanie’s Dad hangs out the lapboard on every race, letting her know her position and providing a supportive and encouraging presence. They’re a team, strategizing and travelling to races and practises together all over the country but their shared passion has given them something deeper than just a desire to be the best, “We chat about racing or riders and bikes and but we talk about loads of other things as well. We have a lot of fun together.”
The adrenaline and excitement are palpable at any motocross race. It’s fast, it’s unpredictable, and the threat of danger keeps everyone on their toes. This isn’t glossy and safe and sanitised - there’s something raw and powerful in the air, something joyous that keeps Beanie coming back, “Motocross is really exciting. Everything about it is exciting. - training, racing, travelling, friends, sponsors - it’s all mega, and I am so lucky to be part of it.”
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