Saskatchewan's foremost female motocrosser captured the Western Canadian women's title earlier this year winning three rounds of the western championship series at Kamloops, Nanaimo and Calgary.
Following the western series, Denaye Giroux went south to Colorado where she placed 22nd and Milville, Minnesota where she finished 17th overall in the AMA series.
Giroux followed that up by winning the Canadian Amateur National women's Number 1 plate at Walton, Ontario recently.
This year Giroux was mounted on a Yamaha 250F as a member of the Yamalube Schrader's SMX Racing team.
At Walton prior to the start of the races, Giroux admits she was a little uncertain of her performance as she hadn't raced against the eastern riders for several years.
She needn't have worried. She won her first moto (race) by about 10 seconds, a substantial margin.
She had a good battle with an eastern rider to win her second moto.
In the third moto, Giroux who needed to finish at least fifth to claim the title, was leading. She determined the rider behind her was playing dirty by doing her level best force Giroux out of the race. She chose to play it smart and fell back to finish second which enabled her to win the overall series and the national amateur title.
It takes lots of hard work and dedication to win a championship, says Giroux. "Your whole summer is dedicated to racing. You can't be doing anything else. You have to train. You have to ride. You have to put in the hours to be good," she asserts.
The top place doesn't come without some pain. "I've broken many bones in my body so far," she admits.
Currently she's putting together her plan for next season which includes attracting sponsors. She hopes to start making some money from her racing, as well. "The women don't get paid as much as the guys do but at least I'll be doing it to make something at it now," Giroux points out.
She appreciates all the help she's received along the way, including the support of Schrader's Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, Randy and Jackie Maffenbaier, Yamaha, Troy Lee, Gaerne, Yorkton Dodge, the Kinsmen Club, Outdoor Sporting and Construction.
Giroux also appreciates the encouragement, support and assistance of her dad, Roland, who got her started in the sport and provided guidance and technical support along her road to the national title.
