Kiara Fontanesi has always maintained strong sense of what is important to her- family, career, responsibilities along with work ethic to perform at the best of her ability no matter what challenges occur over time.
Passion and love of racing has meant years of training with countless hours of routines to cross off to do list day after day- all in pursuit of cherished goals to race for the win- standing on top step of podiums.
With 6x Women Motocross World Championship Titles won, Kiara has set high standards of performance on and off track all the while placing family firmly at the centre of career making decisions.
The realities of achieving outstanding results has been hard won. Winning has taken dedication, committment and determination to total 20 GP wins, 47 GP podiums and 6 World MX Titles from debut WMX year in 2009.
Fair to say, when Kiara made decision to fall pregnant with now, daughter Skyler, circumstances changed. A full year off racing, away from WMX Championship scene, off the bike, then waiting 2 months after birth, Kiara put schedule back into action. This time round though, daily-weekly routine was different.
The relentless feeling to ‘ride-train-ride-train’ was replaced with ‘feeling-good-on-bike’ which resulted in not feeling tired- nor stressed on meeting set goals. Yes, of course Kiara was now in position to feel freedom to ride and race for enjoyment, no longer dogged with target on her back to defend WMX title or to win another- yet these choices have been Kiara’s own making, for herself, family and well being.
In a candid interview recently Kiara explains ‘now racing feels like it was when I had nothing to lose early in my career, when I didn’t have any pressure in my head except to have fun on the bike. I listen to my body instead of pushing myself hard, over-training is out. For me, the most important part of training is rest’.
‘Having Skyler has taught me how to step back, to take time to relax. Athletes can think rest as loss of time- but this is not true. Now, especially at present with everything that has happened in Italy and around the world, I take everything day by day, including preparations and training for when WMX starts again’.
To gain sense of balance in life while entering new arena of racing WMX post giving birth has to be respected and admired. Not only did Kiara race 2020 WMX Opening Rounds at Matterley Basin and Valkenswaard finishing 3rd then 2nd on podium, but won Race 1 at MXGP of Netherlands as well.
Remarkable indeed. Kiara is matter of fact on what uncertainties were like prior to racing 2020 WMX Opening Rounds. ‘One question which I didn’t know was how I would perform having been away from competition for over a year. 12 months off the bike and only 2 months on- which in reality was only 15 hours of bike time – is not the same as actual racing. We were surprised with how well I raced up the front, and 2 podiums was really special’.
For young, up-coming female riders Kiara Fontanesi inspires reaching for what you believe in. As Kiara says: ‘you have one copy of yourself- never hold yourself to someone else’s copy. You work hard to succeed surrounded by those who stand by your side, step by step making every decision count on your way up the career and life path’. For Kiara, the ultimate guide to a balanced life.
No doubt, Italy’s 6x WMX Champion will continue to motivate, encourage and command all to reach into the well-being pockets of achieving a happy balance between personal and professional ambitions within individual lives.
Words: Sharon Cox.
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