The wait is almost over for the nation’s premier female Motocross riders as they prepare for the 2010 Motul Pirelli Australian Women’s Motocross Championship to be held at Wodonga this Sunday, 24 October.

Leading the charge for the 2010 crown will be reining Australian Women’s Motocross Champion Tori Dare, with the 17-year-old a confirmed starter to defend her 2009 title.

The Yamaha rider broke on to the scene in spectacular fashion in 2009, taking out the Championship in her first year of senior competition.

Eager for her winning form to continue on Sunday, Dare has endured a less than desirable preparation for her title defence, suffering from glandular fever for the past six weeks.

“I haven’t had much time to train for the past six weeks, I’ve just been in bed resting trying to get over it,” she said. “I’ve been doing light jogs on the beach, but not much else. I’m just resting up to make sure I’m right for Sunday.”

Dare has enjoyed a winning lead-up to the Women’s Motocross Championship, taking out the 2010 New South Wales Title in July. Although her preparation has been far from ideal, the 17-year-old is still confident she can perform at a high level this weekend.

“I’ve still got heaps of confidence that if I can ride at my best I can do well this weekend,” she continued. “There will be plenty of competition this year as Women’s Motocross is getting bigger and the level of rider is improving, so it will mean a lot to me if I can make it two in a row.”

Among the riders eager topple the NSW star include 2008 Australian Women’s Motocross and five-times Victorian Women’s Motocross Champion Kristy Gillespie, Queenslander teenager Courtney Knight and 2010 South Australian Women’s Motocross winner Stephanie Cutler.

“You always go out to do your best and hope it’s enough to win,” Gillespie said. “Again there will be another group of riders coming up from the juniors so the quality will rise again, so you’ve just got to give it your best. But I definitely would like to win.”

Motocross fans are encouraged to get down to the Albury Wodonga Motorcycle Club track supporting not only Australian best female Motocross riders, but also supporting the fight against breast cancer through the McGrath Foundation.