Buninyong motocross rider Jessica Robertson finished an impressive second place in the annual Hattah Desert Race 2016 in Mildura last weekend.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The 10-year-old didn’t finish the race last year due to bike problems, making the top-two finish in the girls 7-12-years category an extremely promising result and earning her The Courier’s junior sports star of the week.
The course is regarded as one of the most challenging off-road races in Australia, racing across the salt lakes of the Mallee. And is the biggest on the motocross calendar.
The race consists of 10 laps across the nine-kilometre circuit and is major step up from the usual two-kilometre circuit - motocross’s version of a marathon.
While many girls her age are stepping out onto the netball court of a weekend, Robertson is dedicated to taking her motocross as far as she can.
She first started riding at age 5, venturing to a friend’s house who introduced Robertson to the sport, and competed in her first race at 8.
Robertson was extremely happy to win the race and has a clear goal in mind for the future.
“I’m hoping to be the fastest girl in Australia when I grow up,” Robertson said.
“I was really happy (with the result) … I knew I could get top five, (but) I knew I wouldn’t be able to get first because of Madi (Healey) - she’s really fast, she’s one of the best.
“I was really proud of myself and glad that it was over because my hands were numb after the race.”
Robertson finished 28th overall out of 70 riders, a brilliant achievement given her age and KTM 65cc small bike, the smallest of the three bike classes.
The young rider also finished fifth at the Victorian State Championships in June and has aspirations to travel overseas as her career evolves.
She is also under the tutelage of highly-respected motocross coach Glenn Macdonald.
Macdonald is a multiple state and national motocross champion and has over 20 years of coaching experience. Making him on the best credentialed coaches in the sport and is currently working closely with Robertson to refine and improve her skills.
As well as being supported by West Vic Academy of Sport who work with Robertson to improve her strength and fitness to better prepare her for similar physically-demanding races.
Her next major race will be at the Western Region Motocross Series beginning in Horsham this weekend.
The Courier Intersport SportzBiz Junior Sports Star of the Week receives $50 Intersport SportzBiz voucher.