Honda Racing Australia has announced that Emma Milesevic, a seasoned athlete and runner-up in the 2022 Australian Motocross Championship series, will lead the ‘red’ team into MXW when the new year fires into life.
Milesevic is a superb advocate for women in motorsports and represents Honda fantastically – she devotes her time to training others and encourages the next generation to leap into the sport. Not only did she take second in the MXW class this term, after a very spirited campaign, but she also claimed first in the Victorian Women’s Championship.
“Being able to take advantage of the support and vast knowledge at Honda has been very important for my career and I cannot wait to continue building when the new season begins! I hope that I am able to chase the 2023 MXW title, whilst also encouraging women across the nation to get a Honda and start riding,” Milesevic said.
Joining Milesevic as a Factory Honda Racing Australia athlete will be Tahlia O’Hare, who has dabbled in international competition this year. O’Hare competed in the WMX World Championship with some success; she was very consistent and had a season-best finish of fifth. Although she has yet to complete a full year on home turf, she will enter the 2023 Australian Motocross Championship as an immediate threat.
“To join Honda Racing Australia is an honor and very important for my career,” O’Hare expressed. “I cannot wait! I have not given up on my WMX World Championship aspirations and know that a term at home with such a knowledgeable crew will only help me as a rider. The commitment that I’ve seen from Honda is truly like nothing I have seen before – they have elevated the sport for women in Australia.”
Honda will also continue and increase its support of women in motocross through their ‘RIDE RED’ program. Maddy Brown, Ebony Harris, and newcomer Madi Simpson will compete whilst benefitting from direct support from Honda Racing Australia. Brown was magnificent this season, ending third in the Australian MXW series and second in the Victorian Women’s Championship. Maddie Healy and Alesha Goullet will also pilot Honda machinery through support from their respective dealers, as they fly the flag as red riders.
“It would be so difficult to compete at this level without the ‘RIDE RED’ program – the level in MXW is only growing each year,” Maddy Brown said. “I am really eager to build on my bronze medal from this year next season – I know that it is possible with support from those around me!”
Honda Racing Australia reiterated just how important it is to support women in motocross and motorcycling in general. The number of women who are actively racing in Australia is very encouraging and so the opening stop of the Australian Motocross Championship, featuring MXW, on March 05 cannot come soon enough.
Honda Australia’s Tony Hinton concluded by saying, “Honda is really encouraged to see the women’s MX growing so rapidly in Australia. We look forward to success in 2023 with Emma and Tahlia and all of our Honda supported riders”
