The 2007 Oceania Motocross Championships set to showcase the best of Women’s Motocross

16-10-2007

The 2007 Oceania Motocross Championships is set to descend upon Barrabool, Geelong on October 27-28 with internationally renowned riders from Australia, New Zealand, as well as top World MX and US based riders contributing to an all star line up. However, it is the women’s line-up that is particularly impressive, with current World Women’s Motocross Champion Katherine Prumm of New Zealand and Australian Motocross star, Kristy Gillespie set to compete.

Australia’s best hope of bringing home the women’s title at Geelong is with Motorex KTM’s, Kristy Gillespie of Albury. 2006 saw the young Aussie secure three major Motocross titles, with golds at both the New Zealand and the Victorian State Women’s Motocross Championship and a third place at the Australian Women’s Motocross Championship.

2007 has only furthered Kristys already internationally celebrated reputation, having competed in the VIC Women’s MX Championships and the Australian Women’s Motocross Championships earlier this year. Although she was hoping for second position at the 2007 Australian Women’s Motocross Championships, behind the seemingly unbeatable Prumm, Gillespie was content with an admirable 3rd place for the second consecutive year.

In the past, the men have dominated Motocross, but now it is women’s motocross that is continuing to flourish in Australia each year. 2006 marked the first ever Australian Women’s Motocross Championships when the board of Motorcycling Australia recognised and approved the status elevation of the women’s class of the sport. The success of New Zealand and Australia’s female riders in the International Motocross circuit have no doubt contributed to this rise in prominence, New Zealand particularly producing an enviable international motocross reputation, with a remarkable 27 world titles.

19 year-old Auckland local, Katherine Prumm, the current women’s world motocross champion, is set to be the chief contender for the women’s event at the Oceania Championships. Katherine began her Motocross career at age 9 and her first taste of success in 1999 with a win at the North Island Mini Championships. She has since gone on to win innumerable motocross titles internationally, as a member of Kawasaki New Zealand. With her childhood dream of becoming Women’s World Champion before her 20th birthday already accomplished, winning the 2007 Oceania World Championships in Geelong, would top off an already phenomenal year.

“Competing in Australia is been something I have always wanted to do more of and the track at Barrabool is meant to use particularly interesting twists and turns on the terrain, so I’m excited about the challenge!” said Prumm.

“2006 was a difficult year for me because of injuries, so I‘m hoping I will continue to bounce back in 2007 and prove New Zealand’s domination!”

The annual International Oceania Motocross Championships puts Australia and New Zealand’s best Pro, Junior and Women’s riders’ head to head over three races per class. Points are scored from all races and classes and combined to select the International Oceania Motocross Championship winner.

The event is a must see for all motocross fans, showcasing Australian and New Zealand’s best male and female riders and set to be a battle to the finish between the longstanding rivals; the Kiwis and Aussies.