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GLENN JEFFREY / Stuff
Kasey Gooch, 14, displays the winner’s trophy that she claimed in the 12-16 year old women’s 85cc category at the 2020 MX Women’s and Veterans National Championships.
When Taranaki’s teenage motocross rider Kasey Gooch heard two rival riders call her slow, she was determined to prove them wrong.
Earlier this month, the 14-year-old from Waitara won the 12-16-year-old women’s 85cc class at the 2020 MX Women’s and Veterans National Championship in Gore.
Kasey, a member of the Taranaki Motorcycle Club, believes that hearing the comments made to her twin brother, Kurtis, increased her determination to win.
“One day, in the last round of the winter series, I went to the track and it was wet, slippery and everything and I beat them both.
GLENN JEFFREY / Stuff
Teen motocross rider Kasey Gooch practices something on a friend’s track near Tikorangi.
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“They just stopped talking bad about me. They are probably a little embarrassed that they got hit by a girl. “
Weeks later, Kasey, who ranked seventh in New Zealand at the 2019 championships, claimed the title with a “fully modified” Kawasaki KX85 that he inherited from Kurtis.
“I’ve gotten faster and my confidence has improved.
“I was happy and excited.”
Kasey, who has been riding for about seven years, competed in five races during the two-day event.
Aside from the first race, when he crashed before fighting to claim second place, he won them all.
In February, Kasey will compete in the youth national championships in Tauranga, where she will compete against the boys. She looks forward to the challenge.
“It’s fun to push yourself and push them to the limit. I can beat some of them, ”said the New Plymouth Girls’ High student.
GLENN JEFFREY / Stuff
Motocross rider Kasey Gooch isn’t afraid to take on the guys on the track.
Her father, Glen, said that some of the girls were getting pretty fast and they thought it would be a good opportunity.
“By mixing them with boys in national youth competitions, you give girls more opportunities to be recognized in sport,” she said.
Kasey’s mother, Amanda Chambers, was also confident that her daughter would be up to the task.
“She was hitting all the guys to start with.”
Kasey said that she hadn’t really thought about going pro in the future and that she just enjoyed riding.
“You can just let go, ride and have fun and be free.
“I just thought I’d keep riding and maybe I’ll go a little further at some point.”
