Rachael Archer wins 2022 GNCC WXC Championship – a goal the 20 year old has been holding tight in her mind since a young girl growing up on the family farm in New Zealand. From riding and learning all skills on a dirt bike with her Dad, Kevin at home, to competing in events around good-ole-NZ, to venturing to race in Australia’s Hattah Desert Race, to gaining ride with America’s AmPro Yamaha Racing Team, Rachael has remained absolute to her sense of purpose from one season to the next.
Step-by-step Rachael has strengthened her resolve on how to develop her talents, skills, and race performance on the track against equally stiff competition. Going from one-on-one discussions at home, to full Team communications on race strategy, line choice, fuel stop, and passing has meant taking on board all learning curves with courage, conviction, and tenacity to realize full potential on track.
Debut season in 2019 GNCC WXC proved challenging mix of gaining all important knowledge of racing track venues which 90% of the highly competitive women’s class already knew, to tuning into the wavelengths of working with the Team’s crew under adrenaline pumped atmosphere which lasts full duration of 2 hour race.
Rachael found her rhythm mid-season 2019 which set precedent on results to come. Nailing 7 podiums in ‘019, Rachael increased her presence at pointy end of table in 2020, scoring 9 podiums from 13 and taking 5 consecutive wins over the last 5 Rounds. 2021 season was really the precursor for what would come next, with total of 12 podiums of which 6 were wins.
Whether there are silver linings to be gained from tasting the satisfaction of success, while at the same time feeling the emotions of defeat, Rachael sure hit stumbling block when she contracted Epstein Barr virus in 2021, which carried over to this season. Never before had Rachael been forced to re-evaluate how to look after her health. Why- well, training, riding her bike, pushing physical limits to the max had been the norm -til now.
Yes, Rachael adjusted training and rest schedule. Yes, #650 learnt how to regulate her heart-rate which can peak well above 200bpm during GNCC WXC 2 hour races. And yes, the female who is yet to have her 21st birthday, accumulated all extra knowledge on how to face and overcome challenges, to deal with out of control situations in a manageable way.
Heading into GNCC WXC Final Round tied in points lead with Taylor Jones was gonna be challenge in itself. Pressure to bring home golden prize remained key element for both women – it came down to who would withstand the pressure of producing better performance on track to stand top of podium. Undoubtedly, Rachael had edge over competition buoyed by all she had learnt over her racing career.
Rachael shares her thoughts on winning 2022 GNCC WXC Championship and all in between:
‘It still doesn’t feel real honestly, feels like yesterday I was pinning posters on my wall of Paul Whibley and Kailub Russell. Dreaming of being a GNCC Champion! I feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders and all the stress has melted away, I can finally relax and just take it all in!
I would say the biggest factor in my journey to success would be my never give up attitude, and having the opportunity to know and be friends with the best riders in the world such as other pros – XC1 and XC2 racers and WXC competitors alike. Also growing up in a racing environment with my Dad and Paul Whibley helping me in the early stages of my professional career. Having the opportunity to race for factory Yamaha, they have seen me grow from a young 17 yr old rookie to current! All my trainers I’ve had over the years I’ve learnt lots of tricks from all of them! Most importantly is the place and people I grew up in and around!
Getting Epstein Barr honestly helped me recover from some mental trauma and challenges. Training can be like a drug, it’s so addictive and especially being a female can throw a lot of spanners in the works when you start having to deal with hormone issues and things like pcos and thyroid issues. It can be a long process and recovery time so I’m a lot wiser now and have a lot more tools in the toolbox. I know my body and how it works extremely well these days so next season should be alot easier health-wise hopefully!
Definitely excited to get back to NZ for the first time in 2 years! I’ll be celebrating my 21st so that will be a lot of fun to see all my friends and family and also celebrate Christmas and New Years too before I come back and start winter testing and training! 2022- it’s been a hell of a ride and I’m so happy to say I did it!!!
Header photo: Rachael Archer GNCC WXC Champion #1 plate. Image: Team
Words: Sharon Cox.
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