Top 50 Women Motorcycle Racers: Career Highlights, Records & Inspiring Stories

TL;DR — Key Takeaways

• Ana Carrasco (Spain) became the first woman to win a solo motorcycle world championship in 2018 (WorldSSP300), and the first to win a world motorcycle race in 2017.
• Maria Costello (UK) held the Guinness World Record for the fastest woman to lap the Isle of Man TT course (114.73 mph, set 2004), and is the only female motorcycle racer awarded an MBE.
• Laia Sanz (Spain) is a 14-time Women’s Trial World Champion and finished 9th overall at the 2015 Dakar Rally — the best result ever for a woman in the event’s history.
• Angelle Sampey (USA) is a three-time NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle World Champion with 46 career event victories — the winningest female racer in NHRA history.
• Beryl Swain (UK) was the first woman to compete in the solo class at the Isle of Man TT in 1962, only to have her international licence revoked by the FIM the following year.

Women motorcycle racers have shattered records, defied expectations, and transformed a sport once considered exclusively male. From Grand Prix road racing to off-road enduro, from the Isle of Man TT to the Dakar Rally, female riders have proven their skill and courage on every stage.

This post profiles the top 50 women motorcycle racers — celebrating their verified career highlights, personal stories, major titles, and lasting contributions to the sport.

Personal and Professional Profiles of the Top 50 Women Motorcycle Racers

Here is a detailed list of notable female motorcycle racers along with some highlights from their careers. 

1. Ana Carrasco (Spain) — Born 10 March 1997

• First female solo motorcycle World Champion: In 2018, she won the FIM Supersport 300 World Championship (WorldSSP300), becoming the first woman ever to win a solo motorcycle road racing World Championship — clinching the title by a single point at Magny-Cours.
• First woman to win a world motorcycle race: In 2017 at the Algarve International Circuit (Portimão), she became the first female to win a race in any solo motorcycle World Championship.
• Two-time World Champion: In 2024, she won the inaugural FIM Women’s Circuit Racing World Championship (WorldWCR), making her a two-time world champion.
• Competitive history: Started riding aged three; competed in Moto3 from 2013, becoming the first woman to score points in that class (15th, Malaysian GP).
• From Cehegín, Murcia: Began her CEV career in 2011 and moved to WorldSSP300 in 2017. She returned to Moto3 in 2022–2023 before moving to WorldWCR in 2024.

2. Maria Costello MBE (UK) — Born 9 June 1973

• Guinness World Record: In 2004, she set the Guinness World Record for the fastest woman to lap the Isle of Man TT Snaefell mountain course at an average speed of 114.73 mph on a Suzuki GSXR750 — a record she held until 2009.
• First female solo podium at the Isle of Man: In 2005, she became the first female solo racer to secure a podium in the history of the Isle of Man motorcycle races, taking third in the Ultra Lightweight class at the Manx Grand Prix on a Honda RVF400.
• Only female MBE in motorcycle racing: Awarded a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2009 Birthday Honours for services to motorcycling — the only female motorcycle racer to hold this honour.
• Held the female lap record at all three International Road Races: The TT, North West 200, and Ulster Grand Prix — the only woman to have achieved this at all three events.
• Author, journalist, and mentor: Published autobiographer (“Queen of the Bikers”), freelance contributor to Motorcycle News, founder of “Woman on a Motorcycle” track days, and mentor to FHO Racing’s female squad. In 2025 she appeared in her 17th TT, this time in an all-female sidecar team.

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3. Jenny Tinmouth (UK) — Born 8 March 1978

• Female Isle of Man TT lap record holder: First broke the record in 2009 (her debut TT), then broke it again in 2010 at 119.945 mph — earning two separate Guinness World Records for the fastest woman to lap the course.
• First and only woman in the British Superbike Championship (BSB): Entered BSB in 2011 with Splitlath Motorsport, becoming the first and only female BSB competitor — a feat that earned her a third Guinness World Record.
• First woman to win a British Championship Race: Won the Supersport Cup at Silverstone in 2010 — also the first female to lead and score points in any British Championship race.
• Film stunt double: Served as motorcycle double for actress Rebecca Ferguson in Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation and Fallout, and has worked on further major film and TV productions.
• 57 podiums and 22 wins: Across her British club and championship career, she accumulated 57 podiums including 22 race victories, plus the first ever UK Electric Bike Racing (TTXgp) Championship title in 2010.

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4. Laia Sanz (Spain) — Born 11 December 1985

• 14-time Women’s Trial World Champion: Won the FIM Women’s Trial World Championship fourteen times (her titles include 2001–2006, 2008–2013, and 2021) — the most decorated women’s motorcycle world champion in history.
• Dakar Rally best-ever female result: At the 2015 Dakar Rally, she finished 9th overall in the motorcycle class — the best result ever achieved by a woman in the rally’s entire history. She was also fastest female for 11 consecutive Dakar editions.
• 100% Dakar finishing record: Competed in 11 consecutive Dakar Rallies (2011–2021), winning the Women’s Trophy every single time, while maintaining a perfect finishing record.
• Five-time Women’s Enduro World Champion: Also won the FIM Women’s Enduro World Championship five times (2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016).
• Retired from Dakar bikes in 2021: After 11 editions and announcing retirement from Dakar bike competition, she returned to TrialGP in 2021 and immediately won her 14th Trial World title.

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5. Katja Poensgen (Germany) — Born 1976

• First woman to score points in the 250cc Grand Prix class: At the 2001 Italian Grand Prix at Mugello, she became the first woman to score championship points in the 250cc Grand Prix World Championship, breaking a record that had stood since Tomoko Igata’s 125cc points in the 1990s.
• 1998 Supermono European Champion: Won the Supermono European Championship in 1998 before entering Grand Prix competition.
• Competed in the 250cc World Championship: Raced an Aprilia RS250 in the 250cc world championship, taking on top-level international opposition.
• Started racing at 16: First rode a motorcycle at five years old, entered her first race at sixteen, and progressed quickly through European championships before reaching GP level.
• Retired 2004: After her GP career ended, she has remained connected to the sport and later competed in e-bike racing series.

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6. Peggy Llewellyn (USA) — Born 1972

• First woman of colour to win an NHRA professional event: The first woman of colour to win an NHRA professional motorsports event, a historic achievement in drag racing.
• Pro Stock Motorcycle specialist: Competed in the NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle category — one of the most technically demanding disciplines in drag racing.
• Barrier-breaker: Her win came in a category where women — particularly women of colour — remain extremely rare even today.
• Inspiration for diverse motorsport: Her achievement helped open doors for minority representation in professional drag racing.
• Sustained professional career: Built a sustained career at elite NHRA level against top professional competition.

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7. Alisha Abdullah (India) — Born 1989

• India’s first female national racing champion: Became India’s first female national superbike racing champion, a watershed moment for women in Indian motorsport.
• Cross-discipline competitor: Competed in both car racing and superbike racing, demonstrating versatility across motorsport categories in the Indian domestic scene.
• Pioneering visibility: In a country where female participation in motorsport is extremely limited, her national championship success attracted significant media attention and public recognition.
• Young champion: Achieved her national title at a young age, helping inspire a new generation of Indian women riders.
• Advocate for women in motorsport: Used her platform to promote greater female participation in Indian racing at all levels.

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8. Debbie Evans (USA) — Born 1958

• Hollywood stunt legend: One of the most prolific female motorcycle stunt performers in Hollywood history, with credits spanning five decades of film and television.
• Observed trials competitor: Before stunt work, she was a highly competitive observed trials racer — one of the most technically demanding motorcycle disciplines, requiring precision balance and throttle control.
• Pioneer for female stunt riders: Among the very first women to build a career as a professional motorcycle stunt performer in the film industry.
• Technical excellence carried across disciplines: Her trials background gave her the precise control that high-speed stunt riding demands, bridging sport and entertainment.
• Long career: Her career spans from the late 1970s to recent decades, making her one of the most enduring figures in motorcycle sport and entertainment.

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9. Joi Harris (USA) — Born 1977, Died 2017

• First African American woman licensed as a professional motorcycle road racer: She broke a significant barrier as the first African American woman to hold a professional motorcycle road racing licence in the United States.
• Professional road racer: Competed at professional level in motorcycle road racing, establishing herself as a trailblazer for Black women in the sport.
• Stunt performer: Also worked as a motorcycle stunt performer in film and television.
• Tragically killed on set: Passed away in August 2017 while performing a motorcycle stunt in Vancouver, Canada for the film Deadpool 2. She was not wearing a helmet during the stunt at the time of the accident.
• Enduring legacy: Her pioneering career remains a landmark moment for diversity and representation in both professional motorcycle racing and the stunt industry.

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10. Kiara Fontanesi (Italy) — Born 1994

• Six-time FIM Women’s Motocross World Champion (WMX): Won the FIM Women’s Motocross World Championship six times, making her the most successful rider in the history of the WMX class.
• Started young: Began motocross racing in Italy at a very young age, rising to world championship level as a teenager.
• International dominance: Her six titles include multiple consecutive championships, demonstrating sustained dominance over rivals from across Europe and beyond.
• Italy’s most decorated female motorcycle racer: Widely regarded as one of Italy’s greatest motorsport champions regardless of gender or discipline.
• Career longevity: Her championships span multiple years, demonstrating consistency and adaptability across different generations of competition.

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11. Leslie Porterfield (USA) — Born 1976

• Bonneville 200 mph club member: One of very few women to officially exceed 200 mph on a motorcycle at the Bonneville Salt Flats — a benchmark achieved by only a handful of riders worldwide.
• Three world land-speed records: Holds three officially recognised land-speed records, a remarkable achievement in one of motorcycling’s most extreme disciplines.
• Guinness World Records holder: Her speed records are certified in the Guinness World Records.
• Technical involvement: Actively involved in the technical preparation and development of her record-breaking machines, not merely the riding.
• Advocate for women in speed sport: Uses her record-breaking profile to encourage women to pursue high-performance motorcycling.

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12. Ashley Fiolek (USA) — Born 1990

• Multiple AMA Women’s Motocross Champion: Won the AMA Women’s Motocross Championship multiple times, establishing herself as the dominant female motocross rider of her era.
• Profoundly deaf from birth: Competed and won at the highest level of motocross without being able to hear her engine or other riders — an extraordinary achievement in sensory adaptation and raw talent.
• X Games competitor: Competed in X Games Moto X events, earning recognition beyond the traditional motocross world.
• Retired to stunt work (2012): After retiring from racing in 2012, transitioned to a career as a professional motorcycle stunt performer.
• Inspirational figure: A widely celebrated figure in both the disability sports community and the broader motorcycle racing world.

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13. Tarah Gieger (USA) — Born 1985

• X Games medallist: Competed at the X Games, winning medals and raising the global profile of women’s motocross.
• AMA Women’s Motocross Series competitor: A consistent frontrunner throughout the 2000s and 2010s in the AMA Women’s Motocross series.
• Supercross competitor: One of the female riders who helped push women’s supercross into mainstream motorsport coverage.
• Puerto Rican heritage: Born in Puerto Rico, she competed and succeeded at the highest level of American and international motocross.
• Multi-discipline career: Competed across motocross, supercross, and extreme sports events, demonstrating exceptional versatility.

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14. Shayna Texter-Bauman (USA) — Born 1991

• American Flat Track competitor: One of the most prominent women in the American Flat Track (AFT) series, consistently competing at national professional level.
• Family racing background: Comes from a motorcycle racing family, giving her deep roots in the culture and technical demands of flat track racing from an early age.
• Pioneer for women in flat track: Among the very few women to compete and earn results in premier-class American Flat Track events at national professional level.
• Long career at professional level: Has built a sustained career of professional results in one of America’s oldest and most traditional motorcycle racing series.
• Active advocate: Actively promotes women’s participation in flat track and motorcycle sport through community engagement and social media.

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15. María Herrera (Spain) — Born 1996

• First female to win a FIM CEV Repsol race: Became the first woman to win a race in the FIM CEV Repsol championship — the main feeder series for MotoGP — a significant milestone for women in road racing.
• Moto3 World Championship competitor: Competed in the Moto3 World Championship, one of a very small number of women to have raced at GP level in recent years.
• MotoE competitor: Raced in the fully electric MotoE class as part of the MotoGP paddock programme.
• 2024 WorldWCR title contender: Was Ana Carrasco’s main rival in the inaugural FIM Women’s Circuit Racing World Championship (WorldWCR) in 2024, making the series a compelling battle throughout the season.
• Spanish women’s racing icon: Among the most visible and active female riders in the current Grand Prix paddock, inspiring the next generation of Spanish female road racers.

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16. Courtney Duncan (New Zealand) — Born 1995

• Multiple WMX World Champion: Won the FIM Women’s Motocross World Championship (WMX) multiple times, cementing her place among the greatest female motocross riders in the world.
• New Zealand’s most successful motorcycle racer: Widely regarded as the greatest motorcycle racing export New Zealand has ever produced.
• Technical excellence: Known for her smooth, precise riding style and exceptional ability to read and adapt to track conditions.
• International competitor: Has excelled against the world’s best female motocross riders from Europe, North America, Asia, and Australasia.
• Role model in New Zealand: Her world titles have significantly raised the profile of motorcycle racing among young New Zealand women.

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17. Vicki Golden (USA) — Born 1992

• X Games gold medallist: Won the X Games gold medal in Women’s Moto X Racing — the sport’s most prestigious action sports competition.
• Freestyle motocross pioneer: The first woman to compete in a freestyle motocross competition at a major event, breaking into the most spectacular and technically extreme side of the sport.
• AMA Women’s Motocross competitor: Built a reputation as one of the sport’s most versatile female riders in AMA-sanctioned competition.
• Expanded scope of women’s riding: Consistently pushed the boundaries of what female riders were expected to attempt, including off-road and extreme disciplines.
• High-profile media presence: One of the most recognised faces in women’s motorcycle sport, with extensive X Games television coverage and multiple brand partnerships.

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18. Emma Bristow (UK) — Born 1990

• Multiple FIM Women’s Trial World Champion: Has won the FIM Women’s Trial World Championship multiple times, establishing herself as the dominant force in women’s trials over more than a decade.
• Won her first trial world title at 23: First claimed the world title in 2013 and has continued to win it in subsequent seasons.
• Main rival to Laia Sanz: When Sanz returned to TrialGP in 2021, Bristow was the defending champion — their head-to-head battle was one of the most anticipated in women’s trials history.
• Technical mastery: Trial riding demands extraordinary precision and balance; Bristow is widely regarded as the finest technical practitioner the women’s discipline has produced in the modern era.
• British trials ambassador: The most prominent face of British women’s trials, inspiring a new generation of female trial riders across the UK.

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19. Theresa Bauml (Germany) — Born 1997

• Trial2 World Cup competitor: Participated in the FIM Trial2 World Cup, the main international category below the elite TrialGP class.
• German trials representative: One of Germany’s competitive female representatives on the international trials circuit.
• Young international competitor: Has gained international experience against riders from Europe’s strongest trials nations.
• Technical trials background: Developed through the rigorous German domestic trials scene before progressing to international competition.
• Part of a new generation: Represents the growing depth of female talent emerging from central Europe in trials riding.

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20. Inge Stoll (Germany) — Born 1930, Died 1958

• Pioneer at the Isle of Man TT: Competed in sidecar racing at the Isle of Man TT, making her one of the early female competitors at one of the world’s most famous racing venues.
• 1950s sidecar specialist: Raced during an era when female participation in motorsport was extraordinarily rare and often actively discouraged.
• Sidecar racing career: Built her career in the highly technical and physically demanding world of motorcycle sidecar racing.
• Significant historical figure: Her willingness to compete at the Isle of Man was a pioneering act for women in road racing.
• Tragically short career: Died in a racing accident in 1958 at just 28 years old, leaving a legacy that influenced future generations of female racers.

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21. Gina Bovaird (USA)

• Only woman to compete in the 500cc Grand Prix class: Competed in the 1982 French Grand Prix in the 500cc class — the premier class of motorcycle road racing at the time (the equivalent of today’s MotoGP).
• Unique historical distinction: No other woman has competed in the 500cc World Championship, making her entry one of the most notable firsts in the history of women in road racing.
• Competed at Paul Ricard: Her 500cc GP appearance took place at the Circuit Paul Ricard in France.
• Pioneer for American women in GP racing: One of the very few American women to compete in the 500cc world championship era.
• Permanent place in history: Though her GP career was brief, her status as the sole female 500cc World Championship competitor makes her permanently unique in racing history.

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22. Taru Rinne (Finland) — Born 1968

• First woman to score Grand Prix points: Became the first female rider to score championship points in the 125cc Grand Prix World Championship, a landmark in the history of women’s motorcycle racing.
• Finnish motorsport dual talent: Also won the Finnish Karting Championship twice — beating future Formula 1 drivers including Mika Häkkinen and Mika Salo in the process.
• 125cc GP competitor: Raced in the 125cc World Championship, establishing herself as a credible and competitive GP racer.
• Pioneer for Nordic women in motorsport: One of the first Scandinavian women to reach Grand Prix motorcycle racing level.
• Cross-discipline talent: Her karting championship successes against future F1 drivers confirm her gifts extended well beyond motorcycle racing.

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23. Tomoko Igata (Japan) — Born 1963

• Grand Prix points scorer: Scored championship points in the 125cc Grand Prix class, including a best result of 7th place at the 1995 Czech Republic Grand Prix — the best finish for a female GP rider until Ana Carrasco’s 8th in Valencia in 2013.
• Japanese national champion: Competed successfully in Japanese domestic motorcycle racing alongside her international ambitions.
• Asian pioneer: One of the first Asian women to score points in a motorcycle Grand Prix World Championship.
• 125cc specialist: Competed in the 125cc class — which requires precise throttle control and razor-sharp racecraft — at world championship level.
• Lasting influence on Japanese women’s racing: Her GP results inspired Japanese women to pursue professional motorcycle racing internationally.

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24. Elena Rosell (Spain) — Born 1986

• First Spanish woman in Moto2: Became the first Spanish female rider to compete in the Moto2 World Championship — the second-tier class of Grand Prix motorcycle racing.
• Road racing trailblazer: Her Moto2 entry was a landmark moment for Spanish women’s motorsport and for women in GP racing broadly.
• Competed against elite international opposition: Raced against some of the world’s best road racers in one of the most competitive motorcycle championships in existence.
• Inspired Spanish female racing: Her achievements helped create new aspirations for young Spanish women with ambitions to reach world championship level.
• Rare presence at GP level: As one of very few women ever to compete in Moto2, her career carries significant historical weight.

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25. Avalon Biddle (New Zealand) — Born 1992

• Women’s European Junior Cup Champion: Won the Women’s European Junior Cup — a key FIM road racing feeder championship within European competition.
• New Zealand’s road racing pioneer: Among the most successful New Zealand women in road racing, a discipline with very limited New Zealand representation.
• International competition: Gained extensive experience competing in Europe — one of the most competitive road racing environments in the world.
• Versatile road racer: Competed across multiple classes and championships in pursuit of continuous improvement.
• Part of New Zealand’s growing profile: Alongside Courtney Duncan, she helped raise the international profile of New Zealand women in motorcycle sport.

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26. Stefy Bau (Italy) — Born 1977

• FIM Women’s Motocross World Championship competitor: Raced in the FIM Women’s Motocross World Championship (WMX), competing against the world’s best female motocross riders.
• Italian motocross stalwart: One of Italy’s most prominent female motocross competitors during her active career in the 2000s.
• International experience: Built extensive experience racing across multiple countries and championships throughout Europe and beyond.
• Pioneer for Italian women in motocross: Her WMX appearances helped grow the profile of female off-road racing in Italy.
• Physically and technically demanding career: Sustaining a career at WMX level requires exceptional fitness, bike control, and competitive drive — all qualities Stefy demonstrated throughout her career.

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27. Emma McFerran (Australia) — Born 1988

• X Games competitor: Competed in the X Games, bringing Australian women’s motocross to one of the world’s biggest action sports platforms.
• Freestyle motocross: One of the few women to participate in freestyle motocross at a significant competition level.
• Australian motocross ambassador: Among the most prominent Australian women in off-road motorcycle racing during her active career.
• Multi-discipline approach: Competed in both conventional motocross and the more spectacular freestyle discipline.
• International visibility: Her X Games appearances brought significant attention to Australian women’s motorcycle sport internationally.

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28. Sue Fish (USA) — Born 1958

• “The Flying Fish”: Known by her legendary nickname, a tribute to her aerial ability and fearless, flamboyant riding style.
• Pioneering female motocross racer: One of the earliest and most celebrated women in American professional motocross racing, competing from the late 1970s.
• Helped establish women’s motocross: Competed during the formative years of women’s motocross in the US, helping build the foundations of the discipline as a professional sport.
• Cultural icon: Her nickname and personality made her one of the most recognisable female riders of her generation.
• Lasting influence: Her career inspired multiple generations of American female motocross riders who followed in subsequent decades.

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29. Louise Forsley (USA) — Born 1991

• Women’s Trial World Championship competitor: Competed in the FIM Women’s Trial World Championship, one of the main international trials categories.
• American trials specialist: One of the most competitive American women in the highly technical world of motorcycle observed trials.
• Competed in Europe: Raced in European championship rounds — the traditional heartland of trials riding — demonstrating genuine international-level competitiveness.
• Technical mastery: Trials is unlike any other motorcycle discipline, demanding extraordinary slow-speed control and precision balance.
• Ambassador for US women’s trials: Her international presence has raised the profile of American women in a discipline historically dominated by European riders.

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30. Camelia Liparoti (Italy) — Born 1968

• Multiple Dakar Rally competitor: One of Italy’s most dedicated Dakar Rally competitors, taking part in the world’s most gruelling off-road endurance race across multiple editions.
• Quad and SSV categories: Competed in both the Quad and SSV (Side-by-Side Vehicle) categories at the Dakar Rally, demonstrating versatility across vehicle types.
• Long endurance career: The Dakar is famous for its physical and mental demands; her repeated participation reflects extraordinary resilience and dedication.
• Italian rally raid representative: Among the most experienced Italian women in cross-country rally raid racing.
• Multi-decade competitor: Has competed at the Dakar across multiple decades, making her one of the most experienced female competitors in the event’s history.

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31. Margot Llobera (Andorra) — Born 1997

• Dakar Rally competitor: Participated in the Dakar Rally, representing the tiny nation of Andorra on the world’s most famous off-road endurance stage.
• Cross-country rally specialist: Built her career in cross-country rally racing — a discipline requiring navigation, endurance, and raw speed across thousands of kilometres.
• Young participant: Her Dakar entry at a young age reflects exceptional ambition and physical capability.
• National pioneer for Andorra: As one of very few Andorran motorsport competitors at international level, she is a genuine national sporting pioneer.
• Future potential: With youth on her side, she has the profile and experience to become one of rally raid’s notable female figures in the years ahead.

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32. Muriel Hind (UK) — 1882–1956

• Early 20th century pioneer: Active as a competitive motorcycle racer in the 1920s, when the sport was in its infancy and female participation was virtually unheard of.
• Among the first female racers anywhere: Competed during an era when women in motorsport were so rare they were often actively excluded from events.
• Inspiring future generations: Her willingness to race despite enormous social resistance laid important groundwork for women in motorcycle sport.
• Long life connected to motorcycling: Born in 1882 and living until 1956, she witnessed motorcycle racing develop from its earliest days through to the post-war era.
• Historical significance: Her career is a reminder that women have been present in motorcycle sport since nearly its very beginning.

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33. Nichole Cheza (USA) — Born 1987

• AMA Pro Flat Track competitor: Raced in the AMA Pro Flat Track series — one of America’s most established and traditional motorcycle racing championships.
• Sustained professional competition: Built a career of professional racing in a demanding series that attracts top American motorcycle talent.
• Female presence in flat track: One of a small number of women to compete professionally in American flat track racing at national level.
• Technical discipline: Flat track requires exceptional bike control and racecraft on oval and TT tracks — qualities that Nichole demonstrated throughout her career.
• Community figure: Her presence in the flat track world helped normalise female competition in a historically male-dominated series.

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34. Jess Gardiner (Australia) — Born 1993

• Multiple Australian Off-Road Championship titles: Won multiple Australian Off-Road Championship (AORC) titles, establishing herself as the dominant female force in Australian off-road motorcycle racing.
• Enduro specialist: Specialises in enduro racing — one of the most physically and technically demanding of all off-road disciplines.
• Consistent champion: Her multiple national titles reflect sustained excellence across several seasons, not merely a single breakthrough year.
• International ambitions: Built on domestic success to represent Australia against the world’s best female off-road riders at international level.
• Australian women’s off-road icon: One of the most recognised female names in Australian motorcycle sport.

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35. Mercedes Gonzalez (USA) — Born 1963

• 1980s–1990s US motocross force: One of the most successful female motocross competitors in the United States during the sport’s formative professional era.
• Supercross competitor: Also competed in supercross — the indoor stadium version of motocross — demonstrating adaptability across different track formats.
• Era-defining career: Her career spanned the period when women’s motocross was rapidly professionalising in the US.
• Physical resilience: Her long career at high level reflects exceptional athletic conditioning in a sport that demands both speed and fitness.
• Pioneer for diversity in US motorsport: As a woman of Latin heritage competing professionally, she opened doors for diverse representation in American motorcycle racing.

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36. Ina Wilde (Germany) — Born 1990

• FIM Women’s Trial World Championship competitor: Participated in the FIM Women’s Trial World Championship, competing against the world’s best female trials riders.
• German national trials representative: One of Germany’s most experienced female competitors in the international trials circuit.
• Technical specialist: Trials riding requires extraordinary balance, throttle control, and mental precision — Ina has demonstrated all of these at world championship level.
• Part of Europe’s strong trials community: Germany has produced a number of competitive female trials riders, and Ina is among the most experienced.
• Contributed to growing the sport: Her world championship appearances have helped raise the profile of women’s trials in Germany.

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37. Joanne Coles (UK) — Born 1993

• British and world trials competitor: Competed in both the British Women’s Trials Championship and the FIM Women’s Trial World Championship.
• Consistent British performer: One of Britain’s reliable competitors in women’s trials across multiple seasons.
• International experience: World championship appearances gave her exposure to the world’s best female trials riders from Spain, Japan, France, and beyond.
• Technical discipline: Trials demands extraordinary skill, patience, and precision — qualities that define Joanne’s approach.
• Part of Britain’s strong trials tradition: The UK has a rich trials heritage, and Joanne has been part of the modern generation carrying that tradition forward.

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38. Rebekah Cook (UK) — Born 1985

• Multiple-time British Women’s Trials Champion: Won the British Women’s Trials Championship multiple times, establishing herself as one of the UK’s most decorated female trials riders.
• Consistent domestic dominance: Multiple national titles reflect sustained excellence across several seasons of British championship competition.
• International competitor: Advanced her career through world championship participation, testing herself against the best female riders globally.
• Technical excellence: Multiple national titles in trials — a discipline requiring near-surgical precision — speak to exceptional riding technique.
• Inspiration to younger riders: As an experienced champion, she has been a significant role model for younger British women taking up trials riding.

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39. Betty and Nancy Debenham (UK)

• 1920s racing pioneers: Among the very first women in Britain — and the world — to participate in organised motorcycle racing events.
• Sister racing duo: Their participation together as sisters makes them unique in early women’s motorsport history.
• Competed against social convention: Racing motorcycles as women in the 1920s required extraordinary determination and defiance of prevailing social norms.
• Early British motorsport figures: Their presence on the start line contributed to establishing women’s right to race at a time when female participation was almost inconceivable.
• Permanent place in history: As 1920s motorcycle racing pioneers, their legacy is part of the foundations upon which all women’s motorcycle racing is built.

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40. Donna Fox (UK) — Born 1986

• British Women’s Trials competitor: A regular competitor in the British Women’s Trials Championship — one of the UK’s premier trials series.
• International trials events: Participated in international trials rounds, gaining experience against world-class opposition.
• Developed through British trials scene: Built her skills through the highly competitive British trials community, one of the strongest in the world.
• Consistent domestic competitor: Her career in British trials reflects genuine commitment to a demanding and specialised discipline.
• Part of a strong UK trials community: Britain has produced some of the world’s best trials riders, and Donna has been a valued part of that community.

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41. Louie McLean (UK) — Born 2001

• Young British trials competitor: Began competing in British trials events at a very young age, quickly establishing herself as a talent to watch.
• Rising star: As one of the youngest riders on this list, her career is still developing — but early results suggest significant potential.
• Modern generation: Represents the new wave of young British women entering trials, inspired by champions such as Emma Bristow and Rebekah Cook.
• Competitive from a young age: Her willingness to compete nationally as a teenager reflects exceptional commitment and natural ability.
• Future name to watch: With a long career ahead, Louie McLean is a name to follow in coming seasons of British women’s trials.

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Sarah Lezito (France) — Born 29 October 1992, Épernay

• Born Sarah Vignot in Épernay, France Bike Squadron — the heart of the Champagne wine region — she is the daughter of a winemaker who grew up on the family holding AckoDrive and began riding her father’s agricultural quad at age 13, teaching herself wheelies in the vineyard fields before anyone knew her name.
• She reached her highest competition spot in 2015 at the Stunt Riding World Championship in Poland (Stunt GP), finishing 9th place overall — the first-ranked woman — beating 66 male rivals. She also secured 4th place at the Morocco Stunt World Championship in 2015, and reached the final at the Stunt World Championship in Ostrava Visordown, all competing directly against men with no separate women’s category.
• She has stood in for Scarlett Johansson — twice — on Avengers: Age of Ultron and Black Widow, and has appeared in over a dozen films including The Batman, Inferno, and David Fincher’s The Killer AckoDrive — making her one of the most in-demand female motorcycle stunt doubles in Hollywood history.
• Lezito now has more than 30 million social media followers — including 9.5 million on Instagram, some two million more than MotoGP star Marc Marquez AckoDrive — built entirely through self-produced stunt videos, making her arguably the most followed female motorcycle personality in the world.

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43. Annie Seel (Sweden) — Born 1968

• Multiple Dakar Rally finisher: Raced in the Dakar Rally, completing multiple editions of the world’s most gruelling off-road endurance race.
• Nordic pioneer in rally raid: One of the most prominent Scandinavian women in cross-country motorcycle rally racing.
• Cross-country rally specialist: Rally raid combines navigation, endurance, and off-road riding skill across thousands of kilometres of desert and mountain terrain.
• Consistent finisher: Known for completing Dakar editions and finishing strongly in the women’s category — a feat that requires extraordinary physical and mental toughness.
• Resilience and determination: The Dakar is famous for breaking competitors; Annie Seel’s finishing record reflects remarkable resolve.

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44. Angelle Sampey (USA) — Born 1970

• Three-time NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle World Champion: Won the NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle World Championship three times (2000, 2001, 2002) — one of the most decorated championship records in the category’s history.
• 46 NHRA national event victories: Accumulated 46 career wins in NHRA national events — making her the winningest female racer in NHRA history and the second most successful female in professional motorsport history overall (behind Erica Enders’ 47 wins as of 2023).
• 45 top-qualifier awards: Also holds the all-time record with 45 top-qualifier awards in the Pro Stock Motorcycle class — reflecting dominance across a full race weekend, not just finals.
• Long-spanning career: Debuted in 1996 and has competed across multiple decades, including a comeback campaign in which she pursued a fourth championship.
• Versatile champion: After her bike career, earned her Top Alcohol Dragster licence in 2023 and joined Antron Brown’s AB Motorsports programme, targeting a move to Top Fuel dragster.

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45. Carolynn Sells (UK) — Born 6 May 1973

• First and only woman to win a solo race on the Isle of Man Mountain Course: Won the 2009 Ultra Lightweight Manx Grand Prix — becoming the first, and as of 2024 still the only, woman to win a solo motorcycle race on the Isle of Man TT Mountain Course. This also earned her a Guinness World Record.
• Isle of Man Sportswoman of the Year 2009: Named Isle of Man Sportswoman of the Year following her historic Manx Grand Prix victory.
• First woman to win at the Southern 100: Was also the first woman to win a race at the Southern 100 International Road Races in 2005.
• Guinness World Record holder: Her Manx GP win is officially recognised in the Guinness World Records as the first female solo win on the Mountain Course.
• Retired 2009, still active in the sport: Retired from racing in 2009 to start a family, but remained heavily involved as a Rider Liaison Officer and ACU Mountain Course Coach for Manx Grand Prix newcomers.

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46. Beryl Swain (UK) — Born 22 January 1936, Died 15 May 2007

• First woman to compete in the solo class at the Isle of Man TT: In 1962, riding an Italian Itom 50cc in the inaugural 50cc Ultra Lightweight TT (the first year the class carried World Championship points), she became the first woman to enter and complete a solo TT race, finishing 22nd out of 25 finishers.
• Her licence was revoked as a result: The FIM revoked her international licence in 1962/63 on the stated grounds that motorcycle racing was “too dangerous for a woman” — a ban on women in solo international road races that was not lifted until Hilary Musson competed in 1978.
• Faced deliberate obstacles: The FIM introduced a minimum weight of 9 stone 6 lb specifically before her 1962 entry — Beryl weighed less than 8 stone. She gained weight and was allowed to wear a diver’s belt to meet the requirement, then raced anyway.
• Petitioned the highest levels: After the ban, she wrote letters to the Queen and the Lieutenant Governor of the Isle of Man attempting to have the decision overturned — unsuccessfully.
• Commemorated posthumously: A blue heritage plaque was erected in her honour at her former Walthamstow home in 2019, and her racing kit was donated to the Manx Museum by her brother after her death in 2007.

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47. Jolene Van Vugt (Canada) — Born 1980

• First CMRC Women’s Canadian Motocross National Champion: Won the inaugural Canadian Motocross National Championship for women, cementing her place in Canadian motorsport history.
• Nitro Circus star: One of the most recognisable performers in the Nitro Circus live tour, performing daring motorcycle stunts in front of large arena audiences worldwide.
• Freestyle motocross pioneer: Built a reputation as one of the most daring female freestyle motocross performers, pushing boundaries of what women attempted on a motorcycle.
• Global entertainment profile: Her Nitro Circus involvement brought her fame and recognition far beyond traditional motorcycle racing circles.
• Canada’s most recognisable female motorcycle personality: Her national championship and subsequent international entertainment career made her the defining face of Canadian women’s motorcycle sport.

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48. Irmak Yıldırım (Turkey) — Born 2005

• Turkish national motocross racer: A standout athlete who competes in both national and international events. She is best known for representing Turkey in the FIM Women’s Motocross World Championship (WMX), riding a GasGas.
• Pioneer for Turkish women in motorsport: She made history as the first Turkish female athlete to compete in the World Motocross Championship. In a country where female motorcycle racing representation is still developing, she is the primary trailblazer for the next generation.
• International competition success: Since her debut on the world stage in 2021 at Afyonkarahisar, she has consistently sought out broader competition, proving that Turkish riders can hold their own against the global elite.
• Inspirational figure in Turkey: Beyond the track, Irmak is a vocal advocate for gender equality in sports. Her presence in the paddock challenges traditional perceptions and serves as a powerful call to action for young Turkish girls to pursue high-speed disciplines.
• Part of a global movement: As one of the youngest and most prominent figures in Middle Eastern/Eurasian motorsports, she represents the rapid geographical expansion of women’s professional racing into new territories.

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Quick Reference Table: Top Women Motorcycle Racers

Rider	Country	Discipline	Verified Career Highlight
Ana Carrasco	Spain	Road Racing	First female solo motorcycle World Champion (WorldSSP300, 2018); 2024 WorldWCR Champion
Maria Costello	UK	Road Racing / TT	Guinness WR: 114.73 mph TT lap (2004); Only female MBE in motorcycling
Jenny Tinmouth	UK	Road Racing	Female TT lap record: 119.945 mph (2010); Two Guinness WRs; first woman in BSB
Laia Sanz	Spain	Trials / Enduro / Rally	14× Trial World Champion; 9th overall Dakar 2015 (best female ever)
Angelle Sampey	USA	Drag Racing	3× NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle World Champion (2000–2002); 46 wins — winningest female in NHRA history
Kiara Fontanesi	Italy	Motocross	6× FIM WMX World Champion — most titles in WMX history
Emma Bristow	UK	Trials	Multiple FIM Women’s Trial World Champion
Courtney Duncan	New Zealand	Motocross	Multiple WMX World Champion
Carolynn Sells	UK	Road Racing	Only woman to win a solo race on the Isle of Man Mountain Course (Manx GP 2009)
Beryl Swain	UK	Road Racing	First woman in solo TT class (1962); licence revoked by FIM as a result

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FAQ: Women in Motorcycle Racing

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Conclusion

From Beryl Swain’s groundbreaking 1962 Isle of Man TT solo start to Ana Carrasco’s 2018 WorldSSP300 crown and 2024 WorldWCR title, women motorcycle racers have continuously expanded what the sport considers possible. They have ridden across deserts, set land speed records, dominated supercross arenas, won world trials titles, and performed motorcycle stunts on cinema screens worldwide.

Their stories are united by a common thread: determination, skill, and a refusal to accept that motorcycles are only for men. As more women enter the sport at every level — from grassroots trials to world championship road racing — the future of women’s motorcycle racing looks stronger than ever.

Explore our range of CE-approved women’s motorcycle jackets, suits, boots, and gloves — built for riders who don’t take shortcuts on safety.

Last Updated: March 2026