Motocross Performance Magazine Canadian Motocross news leader
As most of you know, I had to sit out this year from the streak of injuries I had suffered in the 2012. Starting with the hole in my side from the Calgary National then separating my AC joint in my left shoulder the second moto at the Raymond Amateur Nationals, and then at the last Saskatchewan Provincial race of the year my Achilles tendon ripped in half. I wish I had a cooler story about how that last one happened, but unfortunately my foot got ripped the wrong way and that was the end of it. This was the first year in about 20 years that I haven’t spent my entire summer racing dirt bikes every weekend with my Dad. Although it was relaxing to have a “normal” life for a summer, I definitely missed my moto family and being on my bike.
An Achilles tendon rupture takes a full year to heal and it has been just over a year for me now. The first the doctor said I would never be able to ride a dirt bike again but after months and months of physio and some good progress, he said I could ride my bike but it’s not going to be how it was before. I have a 50% higher risk of it tearing again and because it is already shorter on one side, if they have to go in and pull it together again my chances of walking good again are very slim. I have been on the bike a few times and can definitely notice the tendon pulling even just sitting on the bike and I’m definitely paranoid of it tearing again because I never want to go through that ever again in my life! Since the day this injury happened I couldn’t stop thinking about getting back on the bike and trying not to lose sight of being positive. Usually after injuries people can build themselves up to be better racers than they were before, which I have done again and again after all of my injuries, but after thinking about this for a good year now and making the big emotional announcement at our Saskatchewan Provincial Banquet last weekend, there are many other things I still want to accomplish in my life. The risks for me are a lot higher than the rewards; I can get out of racing now.
To be honest, I feel like I have had a good, full race career; getting the chance to be involved in this sport at a very young age and move through the rankings provincially and nationally I feel like I have accomplished a lot. During my career, I consider the highlights as follows: I have won five Ladies Provincial Championships, one boys 80cc 12-16 Provincial Championship, Ladies Raymond Amateur National Championship, Ladies Walton Trans Can Championship, racing in the states at the WMA Cup in Texas, Mini O’s in Florida, earning my WMA licence and then having the chance to race against some of the fastest women in the world in the WMA earning AMA #38 and AMA #33, and last but not least, the one that means the most to me because of the years and years of work put into it, the Women’s Western Canadian National Championship in 2011.
I took a look back at the years I raced the Canadian National Series and noticed that since the series started in 2006 I have always had a top 10 number. In 2006 I finished 10th, in 2007- 6th, 2008- 10th, 2009- 3rd, 2010- 2nd West, 2011- 1st West, 2012 – 2nd West. I have been on the podium every single round since my first podium at the Calgary National in 2009, 13 Canadian Women’s National Podiums, which equals many champagne sprays and some very happy sponsors.
So with moving forward, many of you know Camille and I have been very involved in keeping the Women’s Series alive in Canada and I hope to continue to be a big part of that in years to come. I get a lot enjoyment out of seeing the women’s side of the sport succeed. I have a big passion for women racers and believe that they should have every right to have a series that puts them in the spotlight for the hard work they put in. Camille and I are well on our way for getting things ready for the 2014 season with some new ideas in mind. With the help of Sierra Roth and the series growing each year, we hope to top off the success we had from last year.
I can’t thank everyone enough who has been a part of this journey with me: friends, family, my loyal sponsors from over the years of racing: Rick and everyone from Schrader’s, Bryan Hudgins from Yamaha Canada, Derek from Troy Lee Designs, Jeff at Dragon, Doug from Yorkton Dodge, IBEW, Dr.D Pipes, Brendan at LimeNine who always has the sickest graphics, Joe Skidd and Superior Suspension Settings for the years and years of amazing suspension, Brad from Matrix and Atlas, Art from Supertrac’s Racing, Outdoor Sporting and Construction, my boyfriend Brendon, my Mom Carrie, Stepmom Lorrie, Kyle, Morgan, Dallyn, and Amber. Also my entire Saskatchewan moto family and most importantly, my Dad who has been by my side every step of the way. He got to experience this all with me from racing the 50 class all the way through my pro career. Thank you for being supportive and never pushing me into anything.
I will still be riding a bike but just not to the level I was at before. Maybe a few years down the road Walton can make a “Cougar” class for all of us older ladies. It would be an epic battle with Jessica, Malerie, Jolene, Heidi, Kristina, Camille, myself and many other ladies….. Just saying… think about it Brett Lee and Mark Perrin.
Thanks Everyone!
Denaye
