ASHLEY FIOLEK INTERVIEW
Author: Rachel Bellwood	Features | Wednesday, 20 May 2009 08:21

With the kick off to the Lucas Oil/AMA Pro Championship Series just around the corner, and everyone focused on who will find themselves atop the MX and Lites classes, we decided to catch up with 2008 WMA champ Ashley Fiolek in order to get her take on this years competition. Fiolek has made some major changes since last winning the series. She moved to California, moved to a factory team and plans on moving her way into another number one spot once the gate drops at Glen Helen.

Ashley, now that it's been almost a year since you've become the WMA Champion, how has life been treating you? What do you find to be the biggest challenge as the defending WMA Champion?

I've been training and riding, and just doing my normal routine things. I know all the girls have been getting ready for this year. Not only I, but everyone is excited for this year to start. It is a new fresh year and I know I am going to just try my best!

As the WMA Champ, how does it feel to have won against some of the fastest women in the world as well as the idols you've looked up to since you were much younger; for instance Sarah Whitmore?

Yeah, I thought it would be hard at first, but now I realize how those girls know that it's just part of racing. You guys know how close Sarah and I are as well, and we have to race against each other, but it doesn't affect our friendship which is cool.

You just got back from racing in Europe at the FIM Motocross Women's World Cup…How did it go over there?

I got 3rd in Bulgaria in the first round, and in the second round in Portugal, I got 2nd overall. I was second in points but I had to miss the most recent round to focus on Glen Helen.

What are the main differences between women's racing in Europe vs. racing here in the U.S.?

There is a lot more respect for women racers in Europe. The girls get much longer motos and the tracks are very rough. The European girls are so fast and they keep the pace up for a full 20 minute moto plus 2 laps. They're amazing!

What other major events do you have on your calendar this year other than the WMA Nationals and the FIM World Championship?

Well, there is the X Games in the summertime and I am trying to go to Belgium for the Stefan Everts Charity race which should be fun.

How do you see the competition being different this year with Tara Geiger being out for most of the season, and also with the new rookies coming in this year? 

Well, I think competition is competition...there are all of the girls I raced with last year and a whole new batch of new girls racing this year. Everyone is training and working hard and I am sure everyone wants to win.

How is the Honda Factory bike? What is the biggest difference with this year's bike vs. last year's?

Oh man, I can't even describe it because it's like amazing! The whole Honda team has been working with me and it has been a really fun experience. It should be an exciting year.

How has your training changed, if at all, now that you are on the Factory Honda team?

I think I'll keep that one as a secret [laughs]. I am still working with my same trainer, Robb Beams from MotoEndurance.net, so being on the Factory Honda team hasn't really changed my training.

What are your goals for the 09' season on and off the track?

I would love to win another championship, of course! I hope to keep working on my lap times to compare my times with the Boy's Lites classes. I want to keep improving and doing my best.

I know one of your goals is to qualify and race in a Men's National. When do you think you will be ready to do that, and what are you currently doing to prepare for this?

I am going to keep training with Robb and keep working towards that goal.  I might be ready this year or possibly next year, but I will just wait and see when I am comfortable.

With such stiff competition, how do you physically and mentally prepare for the upcoming season?

I work with my trainer Robb on all of this, and he helps me to physically get ready for the challenges I will face and also mentally. I have a good friend, Kim Cabe and he has been really helpful to me too. I would be lost without Robb and Kim. Thanks guys!

What was your biggest training challenge during this off season and how did you overcome it?

I really can't think of any big training challenges... I guess things got kind of dry down in Florida so that is why I came out here to California to ride for awhile.

What's the most painful injury you've had over your career, and what scar are you most proud of?

I would say the time when I broke my nose and knocked my tooth out was one of the most painful. What scar that I am most proud of?  I still have gnarly scar inside my upper lip from knocking my tooth out.

You have an extremely busy schedule; it seems that you are always flying to a new city and/or country.  How do you like traveling and living out of a suitcase?

I always tell people that the airport is like my second home. I love to travel and I have no idea what I would do if I was not traveling. It's pretty cool and a lot of fun.

I'm curious to know how the deaf community has taken to you. When you were doing the big ASL (American Sign Language) Expos, what were some reactions you got from your peers, and the questions people asked you?

At the expos they would ask me a lot of questions about motocross and racing. Most of the deaf community didn't know a lot about mx, but everyone was really interested.  I had a bike set up at our booth, and they would ask me lots of questions about it and all. The whole thing was a really positive experience.

Is your mechanic Cody Wolf able to keep up with the big Factory boys?

Yeah.  He's the man! I am so pumped that I could keep him on as my mechanic.

What's your favorite exercise?

Ab crunches all the way… I must have an 8-pack!

Last summer at Washougal, I was hanging out with you and Sarah Whitmore, and just about every 5 minutes people were coming up and asking for autographs and photos. How do you manage to handle all the fans?

I don't mind meeting all my new fans and stuff like that. They are part of my motivation because I am sure they are expecting to come and watch me to do the best I can.  I love it when people come and say "hi" or "good job”.  It's a great feeling and it is nice to know that people care how you are doing.

This past year you were the first woman motocross rider to ever get nominated for the “Woman Athlete of the Year” award from the Women's Sports Foundation. Major Congrats! Can you tell me a little bit about your experience in NY and being nominated for this prestigious honor?

It was a great honor. There were Olympic athletes nominated, so it was way cool. Going to the Women's Sports Foundation Awards was so much fun.  There were so many athletes in attendance that have accomplished so much. We really had a great time together.