Aussie Women’s ISDE Four-Peat

The ironic thing about successful sportsmen – and women, of course – is that the more they win, the less we tend to know about them as human beings. We identify them purely as victors in their chosen field, and forget to ask about who they are away from the sport. A perfect case in point is the three Australian women who yet again made history at the recent International Six-Days Enduro (ISDE) in Navarra, Spain. Just in case you hadn’t heard, the same Yamaha-mounted, green-and-gold trio of Tayla Jones, Jess Gardiner and Jemma Wilson has now won the Women’s class at the ISDE an astounding four times in a row. Yep, four consecutive world titles!

But who are these history-making fillies? What are they into when they’re not racing? What are they scared of? What pisses them off? Do they have or want kids? And (besides dirt bikes) what are they obsessed about?

We hit them each up with these questions and more shortly after they arrived back from the Spanish ISDE. Among other things, we discovered that one gave up a professional flutist career in favour of a law degree; that two have a genuine fear of heights (downhills included); and that all three sure aren’t planning for kids any time soon!

TAYLA JONES

AGE: 20
TEAM: Three Six Motorsports Active8 Yamaha
ISDE TEAM: Yamaha bLU cRU Women’s Trophy Team
WEIGHT/HEIGHT: 62kg/162cm
SINGLE/STEADY/HITCHED: Steady
KIDS: 0!
MUSIC: Macklemore
MY CREW: The cool kids

If I didn’t race dirt bikes professionally, I’d probably be…
A uni student to become someone useful – haha.

Three things people don’t know about me are…
I am extremely scared of heights. I love reading books. My bestie and I have a whole wall full of shoes.

My most memorable race was…
The 2012 ISDE in Germany. It is still the hardest race I have ever done and was definitely the biggest learning curve.

My fiercest rivalry was/is with…
Probably Jess Gardiner. Not in any serious way, but when we train together, it gets pretty intense.

If I was a series promoter, the first thing I’d do is…
Promote the women a lot more. We put in the same amount of effort as the men, but get nothing in return.

A funny story about my mechanic or team manager…
Ummm…

I escape from the grind of training and racing by…
Going to the movies with my boyfriend, Jack.

I’m obsessed about…
These lollies I found in Spain. I don’t even know what they’re called, but they’re amazing!

Don’t even start me about…
Spain’s weather. Who the hell said it never rained in Spain? I was expecting nice warm sunshine, but noooooooo!!!

JESSICA GARDINER

AGE: 23
TEAM: Yamaha Australia privateer rider
ISDE TEAM: Yamaha bLU cRU Women’s Trophy Team
WEIGHT/HEIGHT: 57kg/165cm
SINGLE/STEADY/HITCHED: Taken
KIDS: No way!
MUSIC: A bit of everything, from RnB to rock. Just not rap!
MY CREW: Our girls group away from races. At the races, a mix of my parents (Mum, Dave, Dad and Mandy), Matt and Meg Porteous and Irene, who looks after me and the set-up.

If I didn’t race dirt bikes professionally, I’d probably be…
Writing athletes’ fitness programs and/or a physiotherapist.

Three things people don’t know about me are…
I was a dancer for seven years before riding dirt bikes. I’m terrified of riding down super-steep hills (I’m afraid of heights, so I quickly close my eyes for a second and just go). I’m currently studying my Certificate of Fitness.

My most memorable race was…
The 2013 ISDE in Sardinia, where I got my first ISDE Outright win in the Women’s class. Plus, it was the first time Team Australia won as a team in the Women’s Cup.

My fiercest rivalry was/is with…
Tayla Jones. We’re great friends off the track and spend many hours laughing together. On the track, we’ve spent many years battling for the top place – exactly how racing should be.

If I was a series promoter, the first thing I’d do is…
Advertise more. And for every race I held, I would plaster the local towns in posters and flyers about the race to get the public to attend these events. I would also leave the technical parts of the track in place to make for better spectator points of interest (okay, maybe I’ve spent a few too many races in Europe, but it works and the spectators are there).

A funny story about my mechanic or team manager…
I don’t have a mechanic. Really!

I escape from the grind of training and racing by…
Going away on camping trips to the beach with the girls, or simply going out an exploring the wilderness.

I’m obsessed about…
Coconut-flavoured things and caramel milkshakes. Good sunrises and sunsets. My nail polish collection – I’ve got a different colour for every occasion.

Don’t even start me about…
Fake people who aren’t true to themselves, and the people around them.

JEMMA WILSON

AGE: 27
TEAM: Yamaha Motor Australia supported privateer
ISDE TEAM: Yamaha bLU cRU Women’s Trophy Team
WEIGHT/HEIGHT: 58kg/163cm
SINGLE/STEADY/HITCHED: Seemingly forever engaged
KIDS: Never!
MUSIC: Triple J all the way
MY CREW: Jon and Lila (fiancé and dog)

If I didn’t race dirt bikes professionally, I’d probably be…
A boring lawyer with loads of money but no life experience.

Three things people don’t know about me are…
I’m a proper housewife when I’m at home; apron and all! I have a law degree and am kicking off my post-grad teaching degree next year. And, until I was 15, my career goal was to be a flutist in an orchestra. I still play it from time to time.

My most memorable race was…
I honestly don’t have one. I’ve been racing AORCs and A4DEs for 10 years, and I’ve done six ISDEs and five seasons of Enduro World Championships, and each event is memorable for its own reasons.

My fiercest rivalry was/is with…
Jess Gardiner. We’ve been dicing since 2010, swapping wins and injuries. So for sure, it has to be Jess.

If I was a series promoter, the first thing I’d do is…
Double-bunt the tracks and give everyone a fair amount of ride time for their entry fee.

A funny story about my mechanic or team manager…
I’ve always been a privateer, but since I was 17, Marcel from Workshop 2000 has helped me out when I’ve really needed it. And he has always let me pay his bills with Nando’s meals.

I escape from the grind of training and racing by…
Going adventuring with my puppy, Lila, and my Sexy Super-Fiancé, Jon. Rollerblading, mountain climbing and swimming are our favourites.

I’m obsessed about…
Tea. There is no situation that doesn’t call for a good cuppa. I spend my money on nothing but motorcycle racing, food and a variety of good quality loose-leaf teas.

Don’t even start me about…
Money. I’ve never got enough of it – just like anyone who has a passion for this sport.