WMX Final 2 Rounds coming up – profile of Kiara Fontanesi WMX Champion 6x. Holding the record for winning the coveted Title 6x, Kiara has not only etched her name in FIM Motorsport history, but also cements the Italian rider’s status for her achievements racing Women Motocross World Championship from 2009 to the present day.
Breaking down Kiara’s successful career provides insight on how the Champion, mother of 2 daughters, and partner has continued to push boundaries on producing results which have elevated her racing from one season to the next.
At mere 15 years of age, Kiara made debut entry in WMX in ’09, gaining confidence and self-belief as the season progressed to win race 1 at the Final Round 7 in Leirop, Netherlands. Through-out 2010 and 2011, Kiara confirmed her determination to taste sweet success on track, finishing P4 and P2 respectively overall. The following season, Kiara strung together 10 wins, two second’s, and one third to stand victorious winning her first WMX Title.
To analyze how Kiara gained upward trajectory of results prompts delving into the various components which make Fontanesi tick. Racing WMX was about being one with the bike, being surrounded and supported by family, making planning, training, and all behind the scenes work matter come race day, and, which is a big AND, enjoying the journey along the way.
For sure, Kiara has amassed unprecedented number of victories over her career: 21 GP wins, 55 Race wins, 54 podiums, from total of completing 79 GP’s, winning 6 Championships along with finishing 2nd and 3rd in WMX in 2011 and 2021.
It would be simple to diagnose these stats as Kiara’s legacy, yet the road to victory has been carved with balancing emotions from standing on top step of the podium, to gaining financial sponsors to support racing, from assessing each result on the merit of performance against equally determined competition, to prioritizing where her heart lies in regard to short and long term goals.
From a journalist’s point of view, tracking Kiara’s career offers greater understanding on how the Fiamme Oro athlete has carved her own destiny in a sport plagued by challenges, not least sustaining financial resources to race. Straight up, sponsors require results and exposure to seal partnerships over longevity of time.
To bring all necessary elements together, not only takes skill and ability on the bike to make points count, but also requires strength of character to endure when plans break down, when challenges are difficult to deal with, and when success remains fleeting while duties, responsibilities, and commitments stay the same.
For Kiara, balancing all aspects of her professional racing career, with her personal life has meant decisions have been made to further growth both on and off the track. Basking in the glory of winning WMX Championship in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, and 2018 was satisfaction to the max, yet never eclipsed sharing her life with her family, giving birth to two daughters – Skyler and Alaska, and being with her partner, Devi.
Pressure to race, produce results, which in turn maximizes opportunities for career development have always been part and parcel of competing, a mental thorn to deal with each and every season. Questions abound, how do athletes manage such situations while simultaneously gaining best possible performance on track?
For Kiara, staying true to her values, principles of life, and living each moment in time with pure enjoyment for what it brings has been the foundation of her success. As remarkable as it is, Kiara’s racing has gone from strength to strength post birth of her daughters, making 2023 WMX Round 4 Race podiums in France super special for #8 with family by her side.
Heading into 2023 WMX Rounds 5 and 6 at Arnhem, Netherlands on August 20, and the Final Round in Turkey on September 3, Kiara’s life-long mantra will be to the fore. Live each day as your best self, with family and friends by your side, sharing experiences and memories along the way.
Header photo: Kiara Fontanesi taking P2 in 2023 WMX Round 4 in France. Image: Team.
Words: Sharon Cox.
Comments are closed.