Some years the AIMES Awards Judges come across an applicant who they believe deserves an AIMES Award, despite not being chosen for the category that has been applied for. This is the case with outstanding young 24-year old motor cycle road racer Avalon Biddle in 2016.
Orewa based Avalon attended Pinehurst School and Massey University and has raced motorcycles since age six with North Harbour mini motocross club, Avalon took to road racing at age 13 and hasn’t looked back.
In 2012, at age 19, Avalon first moved overseas spending seven months racing in the prestigious Italian Championship which was her first experience in Europe.
Despite many mishaps and financial difficulties over the past five years she has continued to race both at home in New Zealand and also at the European level, spending more than half the year living by herself in Europe to further her dreams.
The hard work paid off in 2015 as Avalon had her most successful year yet; winning the New Zealand Superlite (450cc) championship, the European Women’s Cup and she was asked to race for Moriwaki at the Suzuka Endurance event. 2016 is looking even better for Avalon, she is leading the Women’s Cup once again, and achieving magnificent results against the boys in the European Junior Cup – taking a career best eighth place finish in Misano Adriatico, Italy, in the middle of the year.
Avalon currently races in the European Junior Cup and European Women’s Cup as a stepping stone to her goal of racing professionally in World Supersport. The European Junior Cup, support class to the MOTUL FIM Superbike World championship, races at eight of the European rounds of the Championship and is open to 14 to 24 year old male and female competitors. With the young riders from 23 nations competing on identically prepared Honda CBR 650F machinery, the European Junior Cup is regularly one of the most exciting and close fought races of the weekend.
"My goal is to be the first woman to race in the World 600cc championship,” says Avalon. “This is a grueling production racing class filled with the best professional men in the world. I also aim to continue racing at home to inspire other young racers and women, coaching them so others can follow in my European/World Championship success."
Road Racing is an open gender sport – and currently the only form of motorcycling with no Women’s specific World Championship. The past two years racing in the FIM European Women’s Cup is the only time in her career Avalon has been recognised for being a female in a male dominated sport, despite still racing amongst the boys, females score points for the Women’s Cup alongside the European Junior Cup. If she is to reach her goal of racing in the World 600cc Championships she will be the only female to ever do so.
"Racing amongst the best men in the world is my goal and I hope to show what women can achieve. Not just there to make up numbers but to compete with the best in the world!
"I work closely with the FIM (International Motorcycle Federation) to develop the sport for females, and we hope that within the next five years there will be a world championship for women. However, in the meantime my goals remain firmly in racing in the Open-Gender open-age World 600cc Championship.
"The sport is biased towards men due to the heavy weight of the motorcycle and the high levels of aggression required but I know with the right attitude and work ethic I can continue to achieve this world standard."
The World Superbike paddock is the pinnacle of production motorcycle racing in the world. With factory teams from Ducati, Yamaha, Kawasaki, MV Agusta, Aprilia and BMW, this series races bikes equivalent to what customers can buy for street use. The series began in 1988 and since then has gained a huge worldwide following, now televised in more than 30 countries.
World Supersport events attract over 30,000 spectators throughout a weekend, targeting a market of highly passionate and active fans from all over the world. Motorsport enthusiasts make up the large portion of this demographic.
Aidan Bennett put these questions to Avalon for Northside in December 2016, just a few weeks after she received her AIMES Award.
AIDAN BENNETT: What does winning the AIMES Award mean to you?
AVALON BIDDLE: It is something really special for me because it means that Motorcycling are being recognised by the general public, who don't necessarily understand much about the sport. It's such an exciting spectacle & would be great to get more interest in New Zealand. Its also means local people are helping me achieve my goals on the world stage which is very special too.
AB: Did you enjoy the evening?
AB: It was amazing! The room decor took my breath away and I couldn't stop taking photos. I also really enjoyed meeting members of the club and fellow recipients.
AB: What will you be using the funds for?
AB: To help me get back to racing overseas again next year, hopefully in Europe or Asia.
AB: What will you be doing in 2017?
AB: From January to March I will be racing the the New Zealand Superbike Championship in the 600cc Supersport class. This is against the best male riders in the country and is going to be tough! After this we are planning on heading back to Europe but still trying to find the budget to do so.
AB: What are your long term goals/ambitions?
AB: To be the first female to race full time in World Supersport (the World Championship for 600cc machines). This is run at World Superbikes and the highest level of the sport for my category.
AB: Any advice for others following in your foot steps?
AB: Always work harder than you think you need to. Winning is the name of the game but it's never enough, you have to constantly work on being the full package but on and off the track.
AB: Complete the following – In 10 years time I want to be....
AB: Mentoring other young riders coming through the New Zealand racing scene.
As the recipient of the NORTH HARBOUR CLUB AIMES JUDGES SPECIAL AWARD Avalon Biddle received $15,000!
