5 Minutes with Meghan Rutledge

Kawasaki’s Meghan Rutledge has a swag of junior state and national accolades to her name and is at the pointy end of the women’s domestic scene. And with the Picton local recently announcing she’ll compete in this year’s X Games, she’s making a big splash on the international scene.

Transmoto: It was announced you’ll compete at the 2012 X Games in the Women’s Moto X event. Was it a surprising to be selected? Tell us the process of how you even get considered for the X Games?
Rutledge: It was a surprise to be selected. It is one of those things that I have always dreamt of. They had seen some video footage of me at Super X and then contacted me to organise some footage of a ramp-to-dirt jump. I did the jump, sent them the footage and got the invite.

You’ll be riding on an international scale against the likes of Vicki Golden, Tarah Gieger, Ashley Fiolek and Jess Patterson. Does it make you nervous?
It doesn’t make me nervous as such, but it makes me realise it’s time to step up. It’s definitely exciting to see my name on the same rider’s list as these girls because they are an inspiration to female riders all over the world.

Have you ridden with any of those big names before?
I haven’t ridden with any of these girls before but it has been a goal of mine and I’m now one step closer. It’s surreal to be looking at the rider’s list and seeing your own name amongst it.

Do you think you’ll have the speed and pace to win?
Time will tell, but speed and pace are only one component to winning. I would like to believe I have not only these but the skill, the power and strength. Plus I know I have the support of an awesome team to help me achieve this.

We’ve heard you’re also racing three rounds of the Women’s Motocross in the States…
Yes. So far 2012 has been a good year for me and has been laden with amazing opportunities. I am looking forward to the opportunity of competing against some of the best women in the world on some of the best tracks in the world. I have to thank the guys from Team Green Kawasaki for loaning me the bike and Race Tech USA for the suspension, as this definitely wouldn’t be possible without them.

How long will you stay in the States for?
My Dad and I leave on the May 13 (Happy Mother’s Day Mum) and we are over there for roughly eight weeks, so we will be doing some of the tourist things along the way. I think Dad is most looking forward to travelling Route 66 – unluckily for him, we’ll be in a van and not on a 1700 Vulcan classic.

What’s after X Games for you?
Fingers crossed, it’s the after party… After X-games I will be heading back home to compete in the rest of our Nationals.

Anything else you’d like to say?
I want to thank a few people who have played major roles in making all this possible. Greg Moss from Moss Institute, all the guys from Kawasaki Australia and also Team Green USA. Terry and Jan from Shock Treatment, Race Tech USA for setting up my suspension, Fox clothing and Apparel, and GoPro.

Want to know more about Rutledge? Get an in-depth look into her career.