Passion to Action: Leanne’s Rider Development Project

Nurturing the Future of Female Motorcycling

To celebrate International Female Ride Day 2024, Leanne partnered with two-time World Superbike champion Troy Corser to conduct the first of what she plans to be an ongoing series of coaching days tailored exclusively for female motorcycle riders. “Today is all about empowering women and helping them improve their skills as riders, whether it be on the road or the racetrack,” Leanne explained before the start of her first event at the Marulan’s Pheasant Wood circuit in NSW. “I want to assist these girls in having more confidence within themselves and their riding. It’s a two-pronged approach based on the sort of guidance I wish I had been given when I first started riding. Providing the girls with an environment where they can be relaxed, ask questions, and not feel intimidated is paramount. This includes not feeling overwhelmed by the speeds and on-track congestion you can sometimes experience at regular track days.”

Addressing the participants at the rider’s briefing, Leanne emphasised that the day is about learning and improving, not speed. “The focus today is on improving, and I want to see everyone having a great time,” she told the assembled group.

Leanne also explained why the Pheasant Wood circuit is the ideal location for the coaching day. “Scott and the Pheasant Wood team could not have been more accommodating with making the day happen,” she explained. “The track here is perfect for the coaching we are doing. Experienced riders can enjoy the challenge, while those who have never been on a track before will not find it as intimidating as a big high-speed circuit.”

Despite the unpredictable weather, the day attracted the targeted 25 entrants, and looking at the smiles on faces as the day unfolded, it appears Leanne is onto a winner. “There’s a type of camaraderie at female-only days that you don’t get at a regular track day,” she said. “Most of these girls didn’t know each other before the day started, but you can already tell they will leave as friends.” 

The Yamaha brand was well represented during the day, and we spoke with riders to learn more about their passion for riding and what they hope to get from the day.

Tania Smith – Yamaha YZF-R15M

Don’t let her slight build and calm, softly spoken demeanour fool you; Tania Smith is a life-long adrenalin junky who lives in the fast lane. Despite being a recent convert to the two-wheeled lifestyle, she has already accumulated an impressive collection of high-performance machinery, which she rides at every opportunity. However, when it comes to improving as a rider and becoming faster and safer on track, Tania decided Yamaha’s 150cc YZF-R15M sportsbike was the best machine to fine-tune her riding technique.

“I’ve been riding for five years now, and I’m totally addicted,” she laughed. “But I’m only relatively new to track days; this is my fourth. I want to do much more.”

One of the few regrets Tania has in life is her failure to take up motorcycle riding at a much younger age.  “I’ve always been an adrenaline junkie, but water sports were my thing. I’m so glad I’ve taken up motorcycle riding and I’ll certainly be making up for lost time.”

Tania explained that her ridding buddy, Tim, is responsible for getting her into motorcycle riding. “At first, I was on the back with Tim, but after watching for a while, I thought to myself, you know what? I can do that.”

When away from the track, Tania loves to get out on the open road riding one of her large-capacity bikes. However, to upskill on the track, she has chosen a YZF-R15M. “The little bike lets you concentrate on the technique; it’s not always about the speed; it’s about being confident and in control. I absolutely love this little bike. I like her personality, and she always gets plenty of attention. She is such a good-looking bike.”

Roxanne Guzman – Yamaha XSR900

Roxanne – or Rox as everyone likes to call her – is a true Yam Fan. Starting her two-wheeled journey a little over two years ago on a YZF-R3, she always had her eye on an XSR900. “This bike is my absolute dream bike,” she explained while showing off her red and white sport heritage machine with its personalised accessories. “I love riding every day; I commute to work on the XSR900 and also ride it all weekend.” 

Rox had received some previous on-track coaching, but after reading the Motor | Life | Passion story about Leanne Nelson and hearing about her all-female coaching event, she jumped at the chance to attend the Marulan coaching day. While addicted to riding of all kinds, Rox has developed a soft spot for long-distance riding. “Last week, I completed a ride from Sydney to Victoria in less than 24 hours,” she explained. “If I could ride all day, every day, I would do that for sure.”

As a member of the Iron Butt Association, a group dedicated to long-distance time-limited riding, Rox has already completed her 1600km in 24-hours certificate and is now eying off the next challenge. “I love to test my physical and mental ability, to go as long as possible and to travel as far as possible; endurance riding lets me do that,” she explained. “It’s amazing how many Yamahas are part of the Iron Butt group, I guess it’s due to their legendary reliability; it’s certainly one of the main reasons I chose a Yamaha.”

Rox said her interest in long-distance riding came about due to her daily commute.  “I found I wanted more,” she explained. “I wanted more from my ride than just traffic and congestion; I wanted more kilometres and a longer time to ride.”

By taking part in the on-track coaching day, Rox believes it will make her a safer rider. She will be more in control and relaxed at higher speeds, which will be less taxing mentally and physically for the long rides she enjoys. 

Leanne Nelson and The International Female Ride Day Project

International Female Ride Day is about all women riders celebrating their love of riding motorcycles. Leanne Nelson is passionate about advancing women in motorcycling and purposely chose the 4 May 2024 to hold her inaugural women’s only coaching day at the Marulan circuit.

Leanne’s experience and knowledge are extensive; in addition to being a racer and road rider with many decades under her wheels, Leanne also has extensive experience as a learner and provisional rider training instructor, and as an on-track riding coach. Throughout 2023, Leanne, riding a Yamaha YZF-R1 Superbike, cemented her place as Australia’s faster female superbike rider, and for 2024, has launched a plan to take on Australia’s best in selected rounds of the Australian Superbike Championship.

Leanne’s goal for her women-only coaching days is for all participants to see notable improvements in their skills, no matter their level of experience. The days are focused on improving confidence to become better and safer riders on the road and/or track. Most importantly, Leanne would like to see all participants have a great time and finish the day with a smile on their face.