[Interviews]

Exclusive: Sayaka Kaneshiro Interview

9 years ago | Photos: FiftySix Clix

Japanese Pro women’s racer, the popular and stylish Sayaka Kaneshiro, returned to Australia last week to do some racing with the girls – and men of Down Under – at Bathurst’s 2014 Australian Supercross Championship rounds. Transmoto caught up with the AMA Women’s Motocross champion and Australian Women’s SX runner-up before the 22-year-old headed back to Osaka.

Transmoto: What brought you to race in Australia when it seems America and Europe are the places to be for women’s motocross?

SK: Well, I’ve never been to Australia before. Last year I was leading the AMA Motocross championship until the last race at Southwick, where I lost to Jessica Patterson. There was pretty much no women’s racing after that. Then one of my sponsors, Eve Skincare International (ESI), invited me to Phillip Island for the first-ever Australian Women’s Supercross Championship. They took care of everything for me. Honda Aus offered me a bike and mechanic, Honda USA said okay and it all worked out. I beat Jessica and finished in second Overall. I was so stoked to be a part of it. This year was the same deal but more fun! Track was bigger, larger crowd. It was a challenge, though. The last SX race I did was last year’s race and I had no time to practice. I only heard about this year’s race after I returned to Japan from the US a few weeks ago.

So you had no SX track time since Phillip Island in 2013? Didn’t that worry you knowing who you’d be racing against here?

Right! My first ride and bike set-up was Friday afternoon’s 10-minute practice session and we rode with the guys. I mean, I didn’t get a chance to practice SX at all before I left Los Angeles last month. I almost didn’t come knowing what was ahead of me. I hate not giving it my best efforts, you know – maybe this year wasn’t going to happen. My sponsor, ESI, and family encouraged me to be here no matter what. I thought, ‘Okay, I don’t care, I just love racing, having fun, I’ll come to Australia again and go as hard as I can when I’m comfortable on the bike’.

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Did you even think about what might happen?

My goal was to win a race at Bathurst – to prove I should be in the World championships next year. Last month, I beat the four-time World champ, Steffi Laier, at Glen Helen. I thought I had a chance to win at least a race here. Incredibly, I did win the last race in Bathurst. That one win made the whole trip here so awesome. There was some pushing and shoving stuff, nearly got railed over a berm and was run wide over a big jump. The feeling was awesome. I really love the Aussie people, they’re so honest and encouraging. I love the food and weather, and the beaches are really beautiful. The people everywhere I go are really nice. I miss it already and I haven’t even left yet!

What are your plans for 2015?

I hope I can be in the Women’s GPs next year – I mean, that’s my goal. If not, I have one big race in Japan next month and that might be my last race. I just love racing and working out at the gym. Being in Australia is just the best, the fans are so great. I never knew people would be cheering for me like they did, I wish I could live here one day.

Thanks for your time, Sayaka.

Thank you!

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