Top 10 picks of 2021 season for Women in Motorsport has been based on how these amazing Women have achieved their goals in a year of change, uncertainty and adaptation to Motorsport for the future. The ability of the Top 10 Women to pivot their career pathway in proactive style defies traditional step-by-step process up the ladder of Motorsport from years gone by. MXLink salutes these females competing across varying Motorsport disciplines.
#10 Rachael Archer: At just 19 years of age and in 3rd GNCC WXC season, Rachael spearheaded her racing career finishing 2nd in 2021 Women Grand National Cross Country Championship. With mere one point separating Rachael and 10 year WXC veteran Becca Sheets, Rachael claimed mighty victory with total of 6 wins from 13, along with 12 podiums. Bring on 2022!
#9 WSeries entered Formula One arena as support Championship comprising of 18 female drivers on the grid over 8 Rounds. Founded in 2019, WSeries has celebrated phenomenal success, elevating profile of Women racing F3 single-seaters to global audience.
#8 Jamie Chadwick claimed 2nd Title victory in 2021 WSeries Championship winning 3 Rounds and standing on podium 7 out of 8 Races. The likeable Brit proved competitive against classy line-up of WSeries drivers, along with finishing 7th Overall in 2021 Extreme E Championship for Veloce Racing.
#7 Sandra Gomez made history as the first female ever to finish Red Bull Romaniacs Gold Class this year. The Spanish Enduro/Hard Enduro rider now embarks on new challenge competing in up-coming Dakar Rally in Bike category which starts on January 1st at Ha’il in Saudi Arabia.
#6 Kiara Fontanesi has proven again why the 6x Women Motocross World Champion has achieved astounding success claiming 3rd Overall in 2021 WMX Championship. To add another victory for Mum of Skyler, Kiara amazed all watching by taking double moto wins at MXGP of Turkey- Round 4 of the 6 Round Series.
#5 Sara Garcia re-wrote history in 2021 Dakar Rally finishing Original by Motul class in 44th position Overall, Bike category. The Spanish rider has not only achieved first female status in Dakar’s ‘Unassisted’ class in 2020, and 2021, but has also elevated the profile of Women racing the world’s most grueling event.
#4 Courtney Duncan completed hat-trick of victories by winning 2021 Women Motocross World Championship against stiff line-up of the best Women riders in the world. Duncan certainly refined her skills, technique and mental aptitude over course of 12 races, taking 5 wins from 12 races, along with 11 podiums. That is quite a feat!
#3 Cristina Gutierrez has overcome insurmountable odds through-out this season’s racing, from winning 2021 Dakar Rally Stage 1, to fracturing 3 vertebrae during 2021 Kazakhstan Rally, followed by 3 months recovery to be able to race in 2021 Extreme E Round 3 in August. How Cristina achieved that objective is quite beyond possible- yet the fiercely passionate Spaniard not only went on to win T3 2021 FIA World Cup for Cross Country Rallies, followed by taking victory with Sebastien Loeb at the Final Round of Extreme E on December 20th.
#2 Laia Sanz remarkable success has extended to winning her 14th Trial GP World Championship after spending past 8 years focused on training and preparations for Dakar Rally. Laia’s extra-ordinary ability to pivot her racing career stepped up to new heights in 2021, racing Extreme E Championship with Carlos Sainz along with making switch to race 2022 Dakar Rally in Car category. True legend in every sense of word, entering her 12th Dakar in a couple of weeks time.
#1 Molly Taylor entered new arena of Motorsport competing in 2021 Extreme E with Rosberg X Racing. Paired with Johan Kristoffersson, Molly trail-blazed her way through all 5 Rounds taking Final Overall Extreme E Championship on December 20th. If nothing much deters Molly from racing out of her comfort zone, the tenacious Australian rises to a new challenge racing 2022 Dakar Rally with Can Am South Racing. Put simply- an amazing athlete – inspiration for all.
Huge congratulations to all Women competing in 2021 Motorsport. MXLink wishes everyone a Merry Christmas, and catch you all in the New Year!
Header image: Larissa Papenmeier MXGP of Turkey Credit: MXGP.
Words: Sharon Cox.
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