Vanessa Ruck is a TEDx & award winning motivational speaker, motorcycle racer and adventurer, rally driver, content creator and presenter – 460k+ followers
Born and raised in England. I’m a go-getter, a chase-your-dreams kind of girl. I grew up in the great outdoors, getting muddy and messing around keeping fit with horses and quad-bikes and always up to mischief.
At 18 I flew the nest to find my place in the world, university, masters degree, first job. Life took a turn in 2014 when I was hit by a red light jumping car, and since that day I’ve made it my goal to make the most out of life, and to also help others do the same.
My escapism has always been through sports, whether that’s kite surfing, snowboarding or mountain biking, it’s always been about getting physical, but the accident changed that and motorbikes came into my world. They’ve swiftly become my favourite form of adventure; the open road, the power, the ability to simply disappear into the unknown and travel the world.
I started @TheGirlOnABike when bed bound after my 3rd surgery following the accident, the first on my hip, and decided that I needed something positive to channel my energy into. Since this day I have continued to share my journey with you, but not just the happy days you expect on social media. I’ve also tried hard to be real, showing the down days, the days you have to find all your inner strength to even just get out of bed.
What’s my mission? To make the most of each day and help others do the same.
Join the ride!
Much love, Vanessa Ruck
If you’re new to my page – it’s more than just dirt bike riding and racing, I’m on a mission to prove that nothing is impossible if you want it bad enough. See more about my story plus read about my life changing accident, which started it all.
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As seen in Pick Me Up!: Clipping my helmet into place as I left the office, I felt a weight lift off my shoulders. I’d had a busy day, but I was ready to hit the road.
Jumping on my pedal bike, as the wind hit my face all my stress melted away.
I’d always been active and exercise was a huge part of my life. My weekends were filled with road trips, kite surfing, mountain biking and climbing. I cycled the 16-mile round trip to work every day, hit the gym at lunchtime, then liked to get out onto the water in the evening when I could, too.
And that day, a glorious spring evening in March 2014, I left work and headed off on the eight-mile ride to a lake just outside of central Oxford for a spot of wakeboarding. Coming out of the city, I headed a mile down the road – and as the traffic light ahead of me turned green, I pedalled hard to keep momentum. But as I sailed through, a car came out of nowhere, cutting across my path. It must have skipped a red light. And before I knew what was happening, I felt my body crumple as I smashed into the rear passenger door at 15mph. It felt like hitting a wall.
Screaming as I fell to the ground, one of my feet was stuck on the pedal thanks to my cycling cleats, while my other foot had come out of the shoe and my leg splayed out under the bike.
‘Help!’ I shouted out.
‘Are you OK?’ a stranger asked, rushing over to me.
In a daze, I tried to take in my surroundings. Trapped under the bike, I realised I couldn’t move as pain shot through me.
The traffic noises around me started to fade as people helped lift my bike off me, and passers-by who’d stopped to help shuffled me to the kerb.
Thankfully once the initial shock had subsided, I seemed to be mostly OK, apart from a few scrapes and bruises – although my right arm was in a lot of pain.
One of the people who’d stopped to help called an ambulance, while I called my husband Alex, 37, as the police showed up, too.
‘I’ve been in an accident,’ I told him, my voice trembling.
Alex met me at John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford half an hour later, where the extent of my injuries became clear. My finger was dislocated, my right shoulder had doubled in size and my hip was damaged, too.
‘Get some rest, you should be fine,’ doctors said, discharging me after a few hours.
Back at home I was completely exhausted but in good spirits.
‘I was lucky,’ I said to Alex – I was confident that with a bit of rest I’d be fine and back out cycling, wakeboarding and climbing again in no time.
The thought of cycling on a road again was scary after what I’d been through, but I refused to let that stop me.
But as the weeks passed, if anything the pain got worse.
I assumed it was just the bruising and swelling.
These things take time, I told myself. But I couldn’t help thinking that something bigger was wrong.
And after two months of steroid injections to help the pain, I was referred to a specialist who discovered that my shoulder was dislocated.
I underwent full reconstructive surgery in April 2015 and I knew I faced a daunting recovery – but I was prepared to do whatever it took to get back on my feet.
I couldn’t help thinking something was wrong And a few months post-op, I decided to buy a motorbike to commute to work as I was still unable to cycle.
I was terrified, but I knew I had to overcome my fear of being on the roads.
‘I don’t think I can do this,’ I said to Alex as I straddled the bike on our driveway.
But as I gently revved the engine and eased off the drive, I felt a rush of adrenaline. The motorbike gave me the adventure I craved, without pushing my physical limitations too far.
I spent the next year slowly trying to build my strength up and get my life back, and for Alex and me, motorbiking became our new hobby.
But in April 2016, I was devastated to discover I needed hip surgery. It had been causing me a lot of pain, and doctors discovered it was more badly damaged than they’d first realised.
I underwent a seven-hour operation at Cambridge Spire Hospital to fix my joint, ligament and cartilage.
Life as I knew it came to a halt – again. I became dependent on Alex for basic tasks, and I had to learn how to walk all over again.
For someone who’d always been so fit and active, I really struggled. It had been over two years since the accident, and at times it felt like I was going backwards – but I was determined to get back to my old self again.
‘Please can I have a dirt bike?’ I spontaneously said to Alex one morning.
‘If that’s what you want,’ he replied, grinning excitedly. I’d never ridden a dirt bike, but I loved to ride motorcycles, so I was excited to give it a go.
Of course, I had to wait to be mobile enough post-surgery, but we started the hunt and found a great beginner’s bike.
And I was over the moon to see it sat on our driveway a few days later.
Five months later, in September 2016, I was able to steadily ride my dirt bike near to home.
It was completely blissful. I was only going slowly, but it was enough to give me a glimpse of my old life.
But there was a niggling feeling in my hip, and eventually I couldn’t ignore it any longer.
After a private scan, I was devastated to discover that my previous surgery had broken down and I had shrapnel in my hip.
My whole world fell apart when doctors broke the news that I needed yet another operation.
Over the next four years, I underwent four more surgeries to fix my hip and it felt like I was constantly doing physio.
I was craving off-road racing, but I couldn’t take the risk with the damage to my hip.
I spent countless nights in my garage just practising and strengthening my core by doing squats and lunges.
Eventually, I mastered a lot of balancing techniques on my dirt bike, and Alex and I were both so proud of how far I had come. I even started riding again tentatively, too.
‘I’m starting to feel like me again,’ I whispered to myself happily.
And the more I rode my dirt bike and the more I got my confidence back, the more I realised how much I loved it – and how good I was at it.
So in 2020, I took the plunge and competed in my first off-road race.
It was exhilarating – zooming around on off-road courses like gravel, mud or grassy roads. Over the next few years, I entered more competitions and I fell more and more in love with the sport.
In a twisted way, I’m grateful for the accident And in February 2024, I completed my most challenging race yet – an extreme 13-day race from Nador in Morocco to Dakar in Senegal, nearly 3,500km.
Afterwards I was absolutely shattered and every muscle in my body was tired.
But it was definitely my biggest accomplishment outside of my recovery.
I’m the first British female to ever finish this event, and I’m proof that a bad accident doesn’t define you.
The past 10 years have been a rollercoaster ride for me, but without the accident I wouldn’t have found my new favourite sport or achieved any of the amazing things I have.
So in a strange, almost twisted way, I’m grateful for it.
It was hands-down the worst thing that’s ever happened to me, but it’s taught me strength and resilience.
If I can overcome that, I can overcome anything.
Now, with a collection of nine bikes, I’m on a mission to inspire other women to join me on the track.
You can do anything you put your mind to – don’t let fear hold you back.
If you’re new to my page – it’s more than just dirt bike riding, Harleys and racing, I’m on a mission to prove that nothing is impossible if you want it bad enough. See more about my story plus read about my life-changing accident, which started it all.
As seen in The Women’s Worldwide Car of the Year: For our inaugural Woman of Worth profile, we meet Vanessa Ruck, a force of nature who defied the odds after a life-altering accident where she was knocked off her bicycle by a driver who ran a red light. Refusing to be defined by her injuries, Vanessa embarked on a daring journey, mastering motorcycles and carving a path to becoming a future champion racer in both cars and bikes. Now, known to the world as “The Girl on a Bike,” Vanessa uses her platform to empower young girls and women globally, proving that even the most devastating setbacks can lead to extraordinary adventures. Let’s delve into her story and discover how she found passion, purpose, and the unwavering courage to chase her dreams on two wheels… and four!
Question:Given the accident, why did you decide to embrace the risk and excitement of motorcycling? Did the idea of starting your motorsport career on four wheels not hold the same appeal?
Vanessa: Getting into motorsport wasn’t even on my radar. Motorcycles entered the picture as a crucial part of my mental health recovery after the accident. Honestly, I wasn’t seeing much point in life. I used to be an adrenaline junkie, into extreme sports, but my body was broken. The immense pain meant I couldn’t do any of the activities I truly loved. The turning point came when my husband and I bought a pair of Harley Davidson motorcycles. Suddenly, I could experience some of that adventure I’d been missing. Plus, the bike was so comfortable, like sitting on a sofa with an engine, allowing me to manage the pain. I became hooked! Before I knew it, we’d racked up over 25,000 miles (40,200 kilometres) exploring Europe on our bikes, just on weekends and holidays.
Question: Cruising Europe on a Harley sounds amazing, but enduro and desert rallies are a whole different ball game! What sparked the switch to such intense competition?
Vanessa: At a time that I couldn’t do much, the Harley Davidson offered me a chance to go out and have fun, have adventure and feel the wind in my hair! Riding gave me a new focus in life, a defiant counterpoint to the limitations of recovery. I wanted to prove the medical staff wrong, to show myself and them that I could be sporty again. Then it hit me out of the blue, I wanted to ride a dirt bike! Though I’d never ridden off-road, my crazy supportive husband surprised me by bringing one home. Five long months stretched before I could even sit on it, but that bike became my goalpost, a constant reminder to fight through. On days when physical therapy felt brutal and quitting felt like an option, I’d look at that dirt bike. It fuelled my determination to push past the pain, to regain my strength and keep going with my physio. Finally, the day arrived, and the first ride hooked me. Over the past eight years, I’ve battled through four more surgeries and periods of being bedridden. But every time, looking at that bike reignited my resolve to get back on and up-skill. It became a symbol of defying limitations and excelling in this unexpected passion.
Question: Have you noticed a shift in attitudes towards female competitors in off-road motorbike racing? How do reactions from people compare to when you first started?
Vanessa: I’ve noticed the motorcycle industry is very supportive of women riders. However, there’s a disconnect between that and the perception from media and society who still think it‘s odd. In reality, when you are out there, no one cares if you are male or female. But judgment definitely happens! People see a petite blonde with long natural eyelashes and make assumptions. That’s exactly what fuelled me. I trained hard, devoured knowledge about my bike, taught myself mechanics, all to prove a point: this ponytail just overtook you so don’t judge a book by its cover! That motivation pushed me to excel, and soon, competition was on the cards. I think I entered just six races, then took a deep dive by signing up for the Red Bull Romaniacs as my seventh! Talk about jumping into the deep end!
Question: So, you conquered six races and then decided to, what, climb Mount Everest on a motorbike? What was it like competing in Romaniacs; one of the world’s most challenging Hard Enduro rallies?
Vanessa: When I entered the Red Bull Romaniacs, I knew finishing was a long shot and when I did some research I realized that there was absolutely no way I was going to reach the finish line. Heck, even reaching the start line felt impossible! I lacked the right equipment, skills, and knowledge – everything! But what I had on my side was 10 months to turn things around. Putting my money down was my motivation – sign up, show up, then race. After conquering the challenge I was elated then someone suggested a desert race, which sounded glamorous and cool, but the reality? Brutal! From there, the challenges just kept escalating. But honestly, I just love being on a motorcycle, no matter how tough the terrain.
This is something I’ve analyzed a lot, wondering why I am so obsessed with the bike? I’ve realized that when I’m on a motorbike, especially during a race, there’s absolutely no room to think about anything but riding. I have to read the rolling roadbook navigation system that’s strapped to the frame of my bike while flying over treacherous terrain – I could be sinking in soft sand, maybe covered in mud or soaked to the knees after a river crossing. Even then, I still have to think about position and competition! With all this demanding my focus, there’s no capacity to think about the chronic pain I’ve had since my accident. When I get off my bike the pain hits me like a freight train, but on the bike, I feel alive and completely free!
Question: Looking back on your incredible journey, what are some of the most valuable lessons you’ve learned about yourself and overcoming challenges?
Vanessa: Life’s journeys are truly beautiful, and I’ve learned that things often happen for a reason. My accident, undeniably the worst thing that ever happened to me, somehow became a catalyst for the best. Sure, it left me with a ‘bionic body,’ but it also taught me resilience. I learned to manage pain, to discern what battles are worth fighting and which tears have meaning. More importantly, I learned profound gratitude for the simple things and the power of finding happiness.
That experience took my life on a completely different course. Without those long months in a hospital bed, I doubt I’d ever have discovered motorcycle racing, which in turn led me to become a motivational speaker in schools and a beacon of hope for others. My mission is to ignite a spark in as many people as possible, to inspire them to get up and embrace an active life. Remember, when I was young, posters of the Bowler team adorned my walls. Now, I’m an official works driver for them! Life truly is a journey, and right now, I’m savoring every moment.
If you’re new to my page – it’s more than just dirt bike riding, Harleys and racing, I’m on a mission to prove that nothing is impossible if you want it bad enough. See more about my story plus read about my life-changing accident, which started it all.
As seen in Two Wheels For Life: Goodwood Festival of Speed saw an army of volunteers join stars from the world of motorycle racing at this landmark event for the charity.
Two Wheels for Life enjoyed a fantastic four days at Goodwood Festival of Speed as the event’s official charity partner, raising over £100k for the charity from donations at the VIP dinner, at the stand and from collectors around the site.
Ambassador Vanessa Ruck (The Girl on a Bike) joined us on the stand introducing the crowds to what we do alongside our amazing crew of volunteers.
Left to to Right, Alessandro Botturi, Andrea Coleman, Randy Mamola, Pol Tarrés, Kenny Roberts Snr., Vanessa Ruck
The event also saw a very special moment as co-founder and MotoGP™ legend Randy Mamola rode up the iconic Goodwood hill with long time Two Wheels supporter ‘King’ Kenny Roberts and new ambassadors Ténéré World Raid team riders Pol Tarrés and Alessandro Botturi. Two Wheels CEO Andrea Coleman joined the commentary box to talk about the charity on the Goodwood FOS live TV feed!
Thank you to everyone who stopped by, donated and spent time finding out more and supporting our life-saving work. All funds raised will be used to support transport for healthcare programmes in Lesotho, Malawi, Nigeria and The Gambia, getting vital services to vulnerable communities who desperately need it.
“Being invited to be the official charity of Goodwood Festival of Speed was a dream come true. Seeing new ambassadors, Yamaha riders Pol Tarrés and Alessandro Botturi ride the Hill Climb with co-founder and MotoGP legend Randy Mamola and long time supporter King Kenny Roberts was a special moment that illustrated how the great things we have achieved have always been made possible with the support of the world of motorsport.” – Zoë Herron Coleman – head of partnerships and communications, Two Wheels for Life
For the rest of The TwoWheelsforLifearticle see here.
If you’re new to my page – it’s more than just dirt bike riding, Harleys and racing, I’m on a mission to prove that nothing is impossible if you want it bad enough. See more about my story plus read about my life-changing accident, which started it all.
As seen in The Advrider: Adventurer, motorcycle enthusiast, and rally racer Vanessa Ruck (better known as The Girl On a Bike) has recently returned from an epic eight-day journey through the Indian Himalayas aboard Royal Enfields.
But while the towering peaks of the mountains, plunging valleys, and pristine military roads along with dusty dirt trails provided the perfect playground for a motorcycle adventure of a lifetime, the trip has tested Vanessa and her crew’s limits.
Navigating massive landslides, braving a blizzard on the Shinkula Top pass, and squeezing their bikes through a traffic jam so enormous the army had to step in, Vanessa and her crew reveled in the stunning scenery from the turquoise waters of Pangong Tso to the vast expanse of the Tso Kar salt flats, encountering wild horses, donkeys, and even a few shaggy goats along the way.
But it wasn’t just the mind-blowing beauty of the Himalayas that took their breath away – riding the highest mountain passes in the world, altitude sickness is no joke.
“Altitude was one the biggest challenges on this trip. Honestly, riding the Himalayas was probably one of the most brutal adventures I’ve taken on, outside of desert racing. Long, 11-hour days on the bikes, gnarly terrain, remote places – it’s nothing like the Alps or the Pyrenees where, if something goes wrong, you can get help quickly. In the Himalayas, you’re out in a very unforgiving environment, and the altitude is a big part of that,” Vanessa shares.
So how do you deal with altitude of over 19,000 feet while traveling on two wheels? Here are some of Vanessa’s tips to ward off altitude sickness when riding on the roof of the world:
Acclimatize Gradually
According to Vanessa, there was no time to acclimatize as she and her team landed in Leh, India: the city is situated over 11,000 feet above sea level. “We immediately noticed that the air was thinner; just getting out of the airport and carrying our bags and gear, we were out of breath, so we wondered how we would do at 19,000 feet,” Vanessa recalls.
“Luckily, Royal Enfield offered us some solid guidance: first off, we spent a couple of days in Leh, drank plenty of water, and let our bodies adapt to lower oxygen levels.”
Carry oxygen cylinders
Vanessa and her team equipped themselves with portable oxygen tanks before starting the ride. These are widely available at local pharmacies and can be a lifesaver: a quick inhale provides a boost of oxygen when needed.
“Although my body adapted to high altitudes quite well, there was a moment when we were stuck in a massive traffic jam at 18,000 ft altitude. I tried to push snow out of the way to make room for us to squeeze through, and because of the exertion, I started to feel out of breath and dizzy; that’s where the oxygen cylinder really came in handy,” Vanessa explains.
Plan a gradual ascent
Another crucial tip is to avoid aiming for the highest pass on the first day and try to ascend and descend alternately to help your body adjust. “Ride progressively – don’t just aim for the highest pass immediately. Ideally, it’s best to climb, then descend, then climb again; this helps your body to adjust more effectively. Increasing and decreasing your altitude is key.”
Limit time at high altitudes
“When you’re on the really high passes, be mindful of how long you spend there. When we got to 19,000 feet altitude and up, we tried to only spend 15-20 minutes there, then get going – spending too much time at very high altitudes can be dangerous.”
Recognize the signs of altitude sickness
“Along the way, we met a group of travelers and later heard that one of them ended up in hospital because of altitude sickness. He was in a pretty bad shape, and it took him over a week to recover. It’s so important to recognize the signs early – if you start feeling nauseous, dizzy, and out of breath, take a hit of that rich oxygen from your tank!”
Monitor oxygen levels
According to Vanessa, clinics in the Himalayas offer to measure your oxygen saturation; if you’re worried about altitude sickness, it’s a good idea to measure your oxygen levels for a peace of mind – and safety.
Listen to your body
Finally, Vanessa suggests listening to your body – and not trying to be a hero.
“If you don’t feel well, don’t pretend that you’re fine and don’t push yourself – that will only get you further into trouble. Practice deep, diaphragmatic breathing, utilize your oxygen tank, and, if necessary, just descend. At and over 19,000 feet, the oxygen levels are just 50 percent of what they are at sea level; just for perspective, some of the Himalayan passes are higher than Everest Base camp – so while utterly spectacular, it can be dangerous if you ignore your body,” Vanessa says.
If you’re new to my page – it’s more than just dirt bike riding, Harleys and racing, I’m on a mission to prove that nothing is impossible if you want it bad enough. See more about my story plus read about my life-changing accident, which started it all.
As seen in The MCN: During the pandemic, biker and filmmaker Tom Woodrow decided to put down his lens and chase another dream – creating a biker cafe and events space.
“We make Adventure Bike TV and Motorbike TV, and we’ve also done ‘Dakar Dreams’ with Danny John-Jules” says Tom. “But I’ve always fancied doing something like this. Our coffee is all from a local roaster. We did a blind taste test of 20 when we opened, and everyone picked this one! It’s a real nice exclusive for us.”
And if you’re a local, the best part is you can become a Woodrow’s member for free drinks, free events, and access to a chilled-out exclusive area. Elsewhere inside, there is plenty of bike kit on sale featuring the likes of Merlin, Rukka, MotoGirl and more, a barber taking bookings from Thursday to Saturday. But it’s the stacked events calendar of which Tom is most proud.
“During the winter we do ‘evening with’ events and invite people like Charlie Boorman, Vanessa Ruck, and the Sidecar Guys. We play some games too – there’s one where the guest has to answer questions with one-word answers while they draw their bikes. In the toilets there are loads of what look like kids drawings… they are our guests drawings!”
Woodrow’s host two bike nights a month complete with live music, RoSPA meets and more.
If you’re new to my page – it’s more than just dirt bike riding, Harleys and racing, I’m on a mission to prove that nothing is impossible if you want it bad enough. See more about my story plus read about my life-changing accident, which started it all.
As seen in The Monmouthshire Beacon: Monmouthshire-based motorcycle adventurer, influencer, and racer known as “The Girl on a Bike,” continues her trailblazing journey in motorsports, switching gears from two wheels to four as she takes on European rally car racing with the motto “adapt, don’t quit”.
Monmouthshire-based motorcycle adventurer, influencer, and racer known as “The Girl on a Bike,” continues her trailblazing journey in motorsports, switching gears from two wheels to four as she takes on European rally car racing with the motto “adapt, don’t quit”.
Vanessa Ruck is tackling the Defender Rally Series in a Defender 90 with Bowler Motorsport, fuelled by her passion for racing and her mission to inspire women.
“This was a daunting leap – trading two wheels for a 2.3-tonne Defender was terrifying,” admits Vanessa. “But my mission is to show that your past doesn’t define your future. There’s always room to learn and grow, and motorsport has always captured my imagination.”
Vanessa’s entry into rally car racing was made possible through Defender, Jaguar Land Rover’s rally racing arm following the integration of Bowler. Their Defender Rally Series is uniquely designed for newcomers and pros alike, by providing the custom-built car, expert training, and ongoing race support.
Having earned podium placing in four racing events out of seven in her first year, this time, Vanessa is upping her game and moving onto the second year, taking on four EU Baja Championship events in her Defender, affectionately called Big Boy, referencing his size compared to her motorcycles.
The Defender Series takes the road-ready Defender 90 as a donor base vehicle before upgrading and modifying them to meet the gruelling requirements of fast speed rally racing, which includes capabilities suitable for Vanessa’s ultimate goal of getting to the desert with four wheels. The rally-ready Defenders campaigned in the series are closely related to P300 production models with added safety features, including race-specification seats, FIA-approved roll cage and fire extinguishers. They use the same powerful 300PS Ingenium petrol engine, responsive eight-speed ZF automatic gearbox and advanced All-Wheel Drive system as showroom models, with all mechanical enhancements, rally support, competition entries and vehicle logistics taken care of by an expert team from Bowler.
After a devastating car accident and years of recovery, a reconstructed hip and shoulder, and countless months of painful physiotherapy, she discovered a new love for motorcycles. Escalating quickly with her heart of determination, in January she conquered the brutal Africa Eco Race on a motorcycle, becoming the first British female to finish the notoriously challenging rally. The event followed the original Dakar route covering 6,000 kilometers in 13 days on a motorcycle in treacherous African terrain.
This career shift to rally car racing is driven by Vanessa’s need to manage chronic pain. “Motorcycling takes a toll on my body. I live with chronic pain, my hip is deteriorating, and I don’t go anywhere without painkillers. I had to come to an emotional realisation that the one home that I have – my body – is something that I need to be a bit more mindful and protective of for my future,” she explains. “But I refuse to give up the thrill of racing. Four wheels offer a way to stay in the desert, in the bivouac, hooked on the adrenaline and keep pushing boundaries.”
Vanessa’s goal is to become the first British female driver to complete a major (yet-to-be-disclosed) international rally in 2026. As she blazes this new trail, Vanessa proudly flies the British flag on her car during her upcoming European races.
She uses her story to help engage and inspire the future generations across the UK with her free schools programme. Having visited more than 40 schools, speaking to more than 20,000 students already, Vanessa is on a mission to use her story to help drive hope and energy in others. Vanessa’s door is open for sponsorship help and speaking opportunities.
For the rest of The Monmouthshire Beaconarticle see here.
If you’re new to my page – it’s more than just dirt bike riding, Harleys and racing, I’m on a mission to prove that nothing is impossible if you want it bad enough. See more about my story plus read about my life-changing accident, which started it all.
As seen in The L’Eclaireur du Gâtinais: Vanessa Ruck and her newly designed Defender 90 turns heads throughout France as one of the only women drivers in the EU Baja Championship.
The second round of the Bowler Defender Rally Series powered by TATA ELXSI saw Vanessa Ruck head to Gaitanis France to race her Defender 90 known as Big Boy in part of the EU Baja Championship. Her newly designed graphics by AR Signs on the Defender 90 really made head turns throughout the town and drew the crowd’s attention to the realisation that Vanessa Ruck was one of the only women driving. Vanessa Ruck and her presence driving in the area was highly noted and herself and her Defender 90 made the sporting section headlines in the newspaper.
If you’re new to my page – it’s more than just dirt bike riding, Harleys and racing, I’m on a mission to prove that nothing is impossible if you want it bad enough. See more about my story plus read about my life-changing accident, which started it all.
As seen in The FFSA: Separated by three small points, Benoit Bersans and Thomas Lefrancois will once again face’. The fight should be refereed by Stephan Barthe and Vincent Pointelet who will evolve in the same class as the Bearnais.
18th Rallye Terres du Gatinais
Third round of the 2024 French All-Terrain Rally Championship.
Entries: 79 including 33 registered in the French Championship, 21 in the 2WD Challenge, 12 in the SSV Challenge, 13 in the 4×4 Trophy and 3 on the waiting list.
Route: 285 km long including 149 km of ES (12), divided into two stages. Departure from the Sucrerie closed park in Corbeilles, Saturday April 27 at 9:00 a.m. Arrival at the Sucrerie closed park in Corbeilles on Sunday April 28 at 4:14 p.m.
Counts for the French Cross-Country Rally Championship (drivers and co-drivers) (3/11), the 4×4 Rally Trophy (drivers and co-drivers) (3/11), the 2-wheel drive Rally Challenge (drivers and co-drivers) (3 /11), the SSV Challenge (drivers and co-drivers) (3/11).
The main favorites for victory and places of honor
4×4 Rally Trophy Truck : Bartolin (Nissan Pathfinder), Daigneau (Jeep Grand Cherokee), Deramaix (Suzuki Grand Vitara), Demanneville (Jeep Cherokee), Rey (Nissan Patrol), Beecroft David (Bowler Defender 90), Beecroft Daniel (Bowler Defender 90), Vanessa Ruck (Bowler Defender 90).
The Major Challanges For the French Championship
After his victory at Arzacq and his second place at Labourd, Benoit Bersans arrives in the Loiret with the leading position of the French Championship. With his faithful co-pilot, Cedric Nicolau, he intends to retain the advantage after this test very different from the first two.
For the victory on the rally, we can count on Stephan Barthe who won on the last race with his Fouquet Nissan. Also be careful to Vincent Pointelet who would like to open his victory counter this year, Daniel Favey who was unlucky at Labourd or Gregory Vincent who will launch his new Caze equipped with a rotary engine.
Always in the same class, though, Vincent Foucart love this event, he did not go very far from victory last year, he could play a place on the podium again this year. We will also monitor the performance of’Alexander Thion, Denis Artola, Laurent Bartolin, Jean-Michel Leclerc and Stephen Hiatt’s which will certainly be first-rate sizes this weekend.
In the intermediate class, Thomas Lefrancois, currently second in the Championship, will be the logical favorite with his Rivet Honda. With his co-pilot Jeremy Guerin, it may be penalized by the lack of power against large engines but the agility of the buggy and the talent of the Norman crew could erase this gap. Behind, it will be necessary to count on the BMW Fouquet Jean-Alfred Brands, the Flexcar Honda de Fabrizio Bovio and the BMW Neighbor’Antoine Voisin.
In T1A1, Cyril Omnes should still make sparks with his Caze but be careful to Xavier Gaudemer or yet Mickael Guillot’s and Franck Olivier who will discover their mounts on this fast track.
For the 2WD Challenge
With a large lead in the Challenge Kevin Martins De Sousa will start the event with one goal, victory! Supported for the occasion by Robin Moroch, the Cledze driver will try to increase his lead in order to approach the second part of the season calmly.
In the same class, however, Xabi Incagaray will try to give him the reply with his Cledze just like Vincent Tresaricq who won’t make the trip for nothing. Often at the front, though, Sebastien Lafleur will also aim for a place on the podium with his Tomahawk.
On these extremely fast tracks, Gregory Cottereaux will try to make the most of his Rivet Honda in order to go for the victory just like Gregory Boucher who will return to competition with his Fouquet Honda. Other drivers will be to watch as Denis Lebret’s (Rivet Honda), Florent Delean’s (Rivet Honda) and Maxime Vautier (Vautier Volkswagen). The buggies of the “Legend Group” will be well represented with Jordan Cassanau, which, let us remember, occupies the second provisional place of the Challenge 2RM 2024 with its Delanoe Renault.
For the SSV Challenge
As since the start of the season, we should witness a high-level fight between Valentin Giraud, current leader of the 2024 SSV Challenge and Guillaume Noirot, recent winner of the category on the Labourd rally. Eric Sarrat should once again aim for the small step of the podium but he will have to come up against the Can Am of the formidable Antonio Valente and Mickael Pinçon and the Polaris of Rémy Chabarlin.
For the 4×4 Trophy
On the side of the 4×4, the tray is rather supplied with no less than 13 vehicles. The norman, Bruno Bartolin will be the favorite of the category with its Nissan Pathfinder. The resistance should come from the British 7 engaged with their Bowler Defender 90 with as leaders, David and Daniel Beecroft or the female pilot Vanessa Ruck. Also pay attention to the usual ones Fabien Daigneau (Jeep Grand Cherokee), Dominique Deramaix (Suzuki Grand Vitara), Thomas Demanneville (Jeep Cherokee) and Bruno Rey’s (Nissan Patrol).
For the rest of The Actumecaniquearticle see here.
If you’re new to my page – it’s more than just dirt bike riding, Harleys and racing, I’m on a mission to prove that nothing is impossible if you want it bad enough. See more about my story plus read about my life-changing accident, which started it all.
As seen in This is Oxfordshire: A motorcycle adventurer has visited a primary school near Kidlington in the hope of inspiring future generations with her story.
A motorcycle adventurer has visited a primary school near Kidlington in the hope of inspiring future generations with her story.
Vanessa Ruck, known as ‘The Girl on a Bike’, discovered her passion for motorcycling after surviving a car accident that required years of recuperation and a reconstructed hip and shoulder.
She became the first British woman to finish the Africa Eco Race in January after covering 6,000 kilometres in 13 days.
She paid a visit to William Fletcher Primary School to inspire the youngsters.
She drove her Defender 90 into the playground, explaining to the pupils the modifications made to make it ready for her African adventure.
She said: “The squeals and excitement from the kids fills me with so much happiness and motivates me to keep going.
“My accident is the worst thing that has ever happened to me, but somehow it’s also quite possibly the best thing to happen to me for what it’s taught me and the new path in life it threw me into.
“I hope my story can bring energy to others.”
She shares her adventures across her social media channels and in free school visits.
She has spoken to more than 20,000 school children through her schools programme running under the hashtag ‘BecauseICan’.
She challenges students to come up with their own #BecauseICan goals.
She has collaborated with Oxfordshire business FCLG, whereby used business laptops were donated for educational use at the school.
Ms Ruck added: “Today’s youth face some of the most challenging times, especially post covid and for me the day I read the newspaper headline ‘Covid generations lives are ruined’ I knew I had to do something about it.
“Belief is everything and I hope my energy can give the minds of our future a little more energy and drive for life.
“I might not be changing the world, but I hope one session at a time, I can help inspire some of our future generations to set their sights on the stars. Anything is possible.”
Headteacher Claire Martin said: “Vanessa’s visit was inspiring.
“The assembly was brilliantly motivating and linked to our own school values.
“Sharing your inspirational story and journey had a huge impact on the children, and made it very relatable to how students can use mindset to achieve goals.
“I just wanted to say a huge thank you for the time and energy that you gave to the students.
“Vanessa’s obvious enthusiasm for life and powerful messages connected with students and helped them to think about their own life goals and barriers to success.”
For the rest of The This is Oxfordshirearticle see here.
If you’re new to my page – it’s more than just dirt bike riding, Harleys and racing, I’m on a mission to prove that nothing is impossible if you want it bad enough. See more about my story plus read about my life-changing accident, which started it all.
As seen in The Land Rover Monthly: The Defender (not Land Rover…) has revealed a bold new livery and the driver line-up for the 2024 Rally Series UK.
2024 to be the biggest and most competitive season yet
Each of the specially prepared Defender 90s in this year’s championship will feature a distinctive version of the exterior design, with a signature colour chosen by the teams. The seven-event season comprises gravel and hill rallies in Wales, Scotland, England and the Republic of Ireland and aims to build the rallying skills of the drivers with a view to upgrade to competitor rally licences and progress to the European Baja Championship and other one-off international events.
With up to 16 driver and co-driver pairings contesting each works-supported event, it is the largest competitive field the championship has yet seen. Applications are open – and in demand – for 2025.
Drivers have diverse motorsport backgrounds, from novices and trackday enthusiasts to experienced circuit and off-road racers, so if you fancy a go visit bowlermotors.com. You may even be rubbing shoulders with the rich and famous with 2024’s competitors including former Boyzone member Shane Lynch, and Vanessa Ruck, an adventure motorcycle racer and online content creator.
2024 Defender Rally Series UK Championship Calendar
• Round 2: Rally Nuts Severn Valley Stages, Builth Wells 12-13 April • Round 3: Summer Scottish Hill Rally 31 May-2 June • Round 4: Nicky Grist Stages, Builth Wells 12-13 July • Round 5: Yorkshire Hill Rally 13-15 September • Round 6: Clare Forest Rally Ireland 4-6 October • Round 7: Scottish Borders Hill Rally 15-17 November
For the rest of The Land Rover Monthlyarticle see here.
If you’re new to my page – it’s more than just dirt bike riding, Harleys and racing, I’m on a mission to prove that nothing is impossible if you want it bad enough. See more about my story plus read about my life-changing accident, which started it all.