Denaye Giroux Blog: Love Hate Relationship

Everyone involved in this sport has in some way or another gone through a rough patch whether that be with injuries, bike problems, or just a streak of bad luck. We all have our good days where we feel unstoppable and there are bad days where no matter how hard you work things just don’t go your way, even the best riders have their bad days.

Since I was little I always loved being on my bike, it wasn’t until I was in the 80cc class where I really started to take it to the next level. It was my last year on the 80 that I realized I could have a chance of winning the boys class. The top five riders were all around the same speed so throughout the year we all had swapped Moto wins and overalls and by the end of the season I had a good consistent streak going. I will never forget going up to get that year end Championship award and everyone standing up cheering, even the boys in the class were pumped for me! Our class that year was really close and we are all good friends to this very day. That same year I took home the dedication and desire award 🙂

At the time we didn’t have a women’s national series so our races included the provincial series, western amateur national, and the Walton trans can. It’s been an up and down road for women’s motocross not just in Canada, but we are seeing everywhere that women racers aren’t getting the respect they deserve. Which is why Camille Baker and I have been working so hard to keep the Canadian Series going. Every girl out there deserves a professional series to ride in, to race against the best in their sport and to give the up and coming girls something to work towards. We want the series to get to a level where the gates are packed, and the top girls have factory rides again. We all put in the same hard work that any professional guy would do, whether that be at the gym, putting the time in on the bike, or putting in the overtime at work to get to the races. We all have the same goals and passion for this sport, so don’t you think we should be treated equally?

3 broken collar bones, broken thumb, loss of feeling above both my knees, 3rd degree separated AC joint, ruptured Achilles’ tendon, and numerous concussions. Is it worth it ? … Absolutely, I wouldn’t change any of it. I’ve learned more and become a stronger person after each injury, every bike issue, and overall bad race. Learn from your mistakes, it makes you more eager and determined to reach a new level for yourself.
Hard work pays off!

If anything, I want to be a good role model for people. Women’s motocross is a growing sport I see it every day at the shop, girls/women buying bikes and wanting to get involved in this sport. The full gates we had at the Women’s rounds last year was a true showcase of the upcoming talent there is in Canada, if I could in any way keep the Women’s Series in Canada going, I will. These girls deserve the best ! Lets make Canada the place everyone will want to come race.
Countdown is on to Kamloops. See you all there 🙂

Denaye