Just one year into trial motorcycle riding, Nagle College Year 11 student Geraldine Vella is proving she is a force to be reckoned with, taking home the NSW Mototrial Junior Women’s Championship title.
Following in her father’s footsteps, the 17-year-old has always liked riding dirt bikes. After meeting a keen bunch of trial bike riders, she found herself trying her skill at maneuvering through an obstacle course of rock boulders, logs and drop offs.
“Trial riding is not like dirt bikes and doesn’t involve racing. It is basically a bike without a seat as most of the time you are standing up. It really tests your balance and level of concentration,’’ Geraldine said.
“It is a very different style of riding for me and very technical, so I had to go back to square one and learn the basics first before trying any of the tricky stuff.
“I haven’t been afraid to fall, as you are taught how to fall safely and there are people there who can catch you.’’
In the lead up to the recent NSW Mototrial Championships she trained with Australian Women’s Mototrial Champion Kristie McKinnon who also happens to practice at South Maroota’s Pacific Park.
“My friends think it is pretty cool and my family are happy for me and it has motivated Dad to get back into riding again too!’’ she said.
One day she said she would like to represent Australia in the most important Motorcycle trials competition in the world, the Trials Des Nations, “It would be a great accomplishment to make the team and represent Australia”.
St Agnes Catholic High School Rooty Hill
www.stagnesrootyhill.catholic.edu.au
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17 Jun 2026
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