Daniela Guillen shares her thoughts on racing WMX 2024 heading into the Final Round 7 in Turkey this weekend. Currently standing P2 overall, the RFME Spanish National Team rider has produced consistently pointy end results – taking the Opening Round win in Spain, along with 8 top 3 finishes from 12 races – to spearhead her progressive racing career against the best women MX rider’s in the world.
In just 4 seasons, Daniela has displayed rare strength of character to face and overcome the extremes of racing WMX which can tip the scale of emotions from celebrating podium success to consoling disappointment with results outside podium contention. In reality this means, having nailed the win in WMX 2024 Opening Round in Spain going 1 – 1, Daniela had to settle for P2 in Round 4 in Germany on count-back going 1 – 4, to Papenmeier’s 4 – 1.
Similarly, racing the mud-fest at Maggoira, Round 5, may have been a stretch, having grown up riding hard-pack, yet Daniela’s start in R1 was jaw-dropping taking the hole-shot only to be cut short with R1 cancelled due to severe track conditions. Hardly surprising, the 18 year old dug deep and completed the challenging GP weekend finishing P3 overall.
If the mark of a Champion resides in learning from the experiences which make you stronger as a rider and person, Daniela has stayed open minded to all that comes her way. For sure, set-backs count for plenty when results are the ultimate goal, yet without knowing what works and what doesn’t, what to do when plans change, and what to fight for on and off the track – how do women progress up the ranks of the table-board?
Daniela: ”The year has gone pretty well. Right now, I’m second in the world championship standings with a chance to win in Turkey. However, despite the joy of the podium finishes this season, if I weigh the good and the bad, the situations that weigh the most are those that haven’t played in my favor. I guess it’s life telling me to learn from the more difficult situations and not to give up in the toughest moments. In this case, pushing forward counts double, so it’s definitely worth continuing to work hard if what’s at stake is your dream”.
”This year, I’ve learned a lot and gained more experience. I feel like a world-class rider, but I can’t get the idea of improving every day out of my head—whether in training or in races. One thing I’ve learned over the years is that if you want something, you have to fight for it”.
Taken in context, Daniela has progressed in WMX standings – finishing P9 in 2021, racing 2 Rounds in 2022, finishing P2 in WMX 2023, and placed P2 in WMX 2024 heading into the final Round in Turkey on September 8. With total of nil podiums in 2021, 4 top 3 finishes from 4 races in 2022, 10 top 3 finishes from 12 races in 2023, and 8 top 3 finishes from 12 races in 2024 – what have been the key factors for upward trajectory of results?
Daniela: ”If I compare Daniela from last year to this year’s version, without a doubt, the improved version is the one from this year in all areas—physically, on the bike, mentally, and even in terms of nutrition. But as I said, the key is to push yourself every day, comparing yourself only to your previous self. This is the greatest race anyone can have in life: the race against yourself”.
All of which boasts a multitude of talent and skills on the bike, resilience in the face of adversity, and maintaining a sense of perspective from one race to the next. For Daniela, competing in WMX 2024 Final Round this weekend, is the next step forward to achieving goals – all in reach in the future.
Daniela: ”I was born riding on hard pack, so it’s very easy for me to race on this type of track. I’m going in focused on getting good starts, and with the mindset that I have nothing to lose: I can only win, so I’m going out to win”.
WMX Round 7 at MXGP of Turkey, on September 8. Header photo: Daniela Guillen Image: @jpacevedophoto
Words: Sharon Cox.
Comments are closed.