Meghan Rutledge: “I never train for second best
Wednesday 19 June: Harry van Hemmen catched up with Meghan and her father Grant. Courtesy of motocrossplanet.com
Australian Meghan Rutledge is a welcome surprise in
the 2013 ladies WMX competition. The 18 year old racer from Sydney holds second
place in the WMX, the class so far dominated by Italian title defender Chiara
Fontanesi.
Meghan with her father Grant. Image: Harry van Hemmen.
Meghan came to the opener at Valkenswaard where she
scored a second, followed by a third in round two at Orehova Vas in Slovenia. At Mugello in Italy last weekend, she went 2nd and 9th (after a race through the field) for a 4th overall.
Meghan how do you plan to stop Chiara from winning?
"My saying has always been that I never train for second place and always go
for that number one plate.”
In a corner of the Slovenian WMX paddock we sat with
Meghan and father Grant Rutledge was nearby preparing the Kawy. Most of
her competitors have a camper or
truck with plenty of comfort but not the Rutledges. Meghan helped dad wash and
clean the bike before we sat down and got her story.
The Aussies drove to Sloveniai a rented van and slept
on the floor. In other words Meghan Rutledge came toEuropewith a mission: "I
want to be WMX World Champion.”
Her profile reads that she started in mx at the age
of four, how did that happen? "Dad got my two older sisters into racing
motocross so I got brought up in around motocross tracks.”
The profile also tells me you have tried other sports
before motocross became your passion. "Yeah I tried football and cricket, all
big team sports and was good in soccer being selected for the state team but
did not enjoy it. I like team sports however it just did not have the
adrenaline rush that motocross has.”
Meghan won a lot of titles in her long career, how
many to be precise?
"I am undefeated Women’s champion since 2008 and I
won uhh let me calculate, 6 titles. I won NSW state championships against the
boys and yeah they don’t like to be beaten by a girl. At the age of seven I was
the first female ever to win a state championship against the boys anywhere in
the world.”
Back home Meghan does 6 race weekends (2 days racing)
in the Women’s class and then she also races the Under 19 Internationals
against the boys. BeforeSloveniashe had just flown in fromAustralia. "I am the
only woman in the Under 19 class with some 60 riders; currently I am running
fifteenth but believe I can get a top ten.”
Image: Harry van Hemmen.
QUEEN OF GENEVA
Last winter Meghan did her WMX maiden race at
Teutschenthal with the help of Pfeil Kawasaki and finished third, she came back
in December for the Geneva Supercross and was crowned Queen of Geneva as the
winner of the event. It shows this lady is very serious and all-round racer.
"I have been racing in the USA Women’s last year but
broke my hand at the third round. When I am at home I can help mum and dad out
by working 4 to 5 days as a life guard at the pool.”
Again with the help of the German Pfeil Team Meghan
came to Valkenswaard to race against the fast ladies, she finished second in
both motos but how did it go? "I had been racing in sand so no problem there
but it was so very cold, I was still cold when I came in. On the second morning
the frozen ground was like riding on cement.”
"Team Pfeil could not afford to support me for the
full season but then Team Rockstar Bud Racing from France stepped in. They
supply me with Livia Lancelot’s bike, after she got injured.”
"Kawasaki Australia helps me and a sponsor at home
Troy Campbell provides the tickets for me and dad to fly to the races. Team Bud
Racing is based in the south of France and we hired a van to drive to Slovenia.”
"From Slovenia we go to Italy, then back to France
and home as the Croatia round has been canceled. From a few weeks at home to
America for the X Games and back home again. For the next WMX round we then fly
back to Europe; travelling is a part of the fun.”
Where are you based while in Europe? "I am not really
based anywhere, we live out of a van. We drove all the way from France where
Bud Racing is based and we slept on a mattress in the back of the van.”
HOW TO BEAT CHIARA
Taking he title from Chiara will be tough because the
Italian is truly fast.
"Valkenswaard was the first time I raced with Chiara
and she is extremely fast and she did it again in Slovenia with another double.
One day I really want to beat her and for that I need keep the bike on two
wheels, concentrate and make a good start.”
And after motocross? Dad had been listening while
preparing the bike and joins the conversation: "Go road racing! The road racing
guys in Australia have a motocross background. The transition from motocross to
road racing is quite easy. I am sure she can do it; we have a women’s class on
250 four-stroke bikes.”
Daughter has heard dad’s future plans a lot it
seems. "I am not so sure - I think
if I try it I will like it.”
After our conversation it is time for Meghan to race
the two Slovenian motos. In the second one she had a mid- pack start and it was
hard work to come through and finish third, the position she took in the
overall results. Being second in the deep sand in Holland and third on the bone
hard track in Slovenia proves this is a girl on a mission and more over with
the dedication to make it a success.
The dedicated youngster was rewarded in Australia
2012 by the ‘Aim for the Stars’ foundation with an encouraging grant. This
foundation values girls who show dedication, passion, integrity and the courage
to follow their dream. If results speak for themselves than Meghan Rutledge
ticks all of these boxes.