RideLust

On Friday, American Honda announced that 2008 WMA Women’s Motocross Champion, 18-year-old Ashley Fiolek will be joining the Honda Red Bull Racing factory team, successfully becoming the first female athlete in history to sign with Honda’s factory team. Fiolek, a newcomer to the professional circuit, will join current Honda factory teammates Andrew Short, Ivan Tedesco, Davi Millsaps and Ben Townley in maintaining Honda’s 36-year track record of superior performance.

Excited over the new addition to the team, Honda Red Bull Racing Team Manager Erik Kehoe said, “It is great to have all four riders back this year and I am really looking forward to welcoming Ashley to the team…Ashley’s commitment to racing and her strength have earned her not only the respect of Honda but the entire industry. Her achievements have really helped elevate women’s racing to a wider audience.”

Echoing Kehoe’s sentiments, and enthusiastic Fiolek related to reporters, “Being able to race Motocross professionally on a full factory team at Honda is a dream come true for me,” said Fiolek. “I have been excited beyond belief! I can’t thank American Honda enough for providing me this opportunity and I look forward to working with Erik and the whole Honda Red Bull Racing team.”