Out of the Blue | Julie Roy | Presented by Schrader’s
By Jeff McConkey
‘Out of the Blue’ is proudly presented by Shrader’s.
Name: Julie Roy
Birthday: March 12, 1996
Hometown: I’m from a small village in Quebec, St-Octave-de-Métis
School & Grade/Occupation: I studied at Cégep de Rimouski in forest technology then I applied for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. I am currently working at Junior Mechanic Plus.
Number: #308.
Bike: KTM 250 SX-F 2016
Race Club: Supercross Quebec
Classes: Lady Initiation and Open.
This week, Quebec’s Julie Roy is featured in ‘Out of the Blue’ Presented by Schrader’s | Alain Tremblay photo
How did you get started in racing?
I was supposed to buy another horse at first but I decided to buy a Honda CRF 150R 2009 instead. I kept it a few months because I was too tall for the bike. I traded it for a Suzuki RMZ 250 2012 and it’s at this moment that I started to race on the track.
As a little girl, did you ever expect to be this deep into a sport like motocross?
No. When I was a little girl, I just wanted to save all animals. I was not really thinking about riding motocross because my father did not really want.
Do you think motocross is harder for a female to compete in?
Today, I don’t think so. The mentality who said women were smaller is over. I believe that if a woman really wants to succeed, she can as much as a man.
Julie’s goal for the season was to gain more control of her bike on the track | Raphaelle Tessier photo
Who is your favourite rider and why?
Surely, Ryan Dungey. For his perseverance, his constancy and his fluidity in his movements. He’s nice to watch.
Is there one lady racer out there that you think has paved the way for other girls to be successful in the sport?
Personally, I think Vicki Golden is a perfect example that you can get anything as long as you want it. In the beginning of her career, she had to race with the boys because there weren’t enough girls to create separate classes. She’s the first woman to break the top 10 in AMA Arenacross Lites Main, the first woman to qualify for AMA Arenacross Premier class night show and the first woman in Monster Energy AMA Supercross, to qualify for the “Fast 40.”
What Canadian Pro do you look up to and why?
Kaven Benoît. Because he’s a pilot from Quebec and he’s 2 times Canadian MX2 champion and now MX1 rider for KTM team. He finished first in Deschambault race, then after the last race in Ontario, he finished on the third step of the podium to his first season in MX1.
What is your favourite track and why?
I [haven’t] practiced on a lot of tracks, but I like the MX-Rimouski track. It’s close from home and it’s mostly like an Arenacross but outside.
Who is your hero?
I would say that my hero is my boyfriend, Alex. He’s always there for me, he taught me a lot this year. I started in the world of motocross so I knew nothing. He helps me with my position, with my bike, with the stress at the races. He’s always with me on the staging before the gates drop.
What were your goals for this season?
My goals were to have a good position on my bike and I want to learn when to sit, slow down and accelerate at the right time in berms. This is easy for many people but for me it’s difficult.
What are your biggest accomplishments?
It was in May 7. In the morning, my boyfriend and I were supposed to practice in the track of MX-Matane, but the clutch was defective, our bike was unusable. Then we decided to go at Arenacross to watch our friends. I decided to race. My bike was broken, so a friend passed me his KTM 350 SX-F. I didn’t race in the practice round and never drove this big bike before that moment. I was so stressed but I got up on the second step of the podium at the end of the day. I was proud of [myself].
“Personally, I think Vicki Golden is a perfect example that you can get anything as long as you want it. In the beginning of her career, she had to race with the boys because there weren’t enough girls to create separate classes.” | Raphaelle Tessier photo
What is your favourite part about going to the races?
I like to see how many girls will be my competitors and what position I finished at the end of the day.
What do you like to do when you aren’t racing?
In real life I’m a cowgirl. I have 4 horses so I love spending time with them and I train them for barrel competition.
Is it important to have a motocross racer as a boyfriend/partner, or just a bonus?
For me, it’s essential. There are races each weekend and if there is no race, I need to practice. I’m independent and resourceful but live my passion with the person I love is a real bonus.
If you ever have children, will they be motocross racers?
Yes, I hope so. This is a very difficult sport but this isn’t only a sport this is a passion and I hope that I will share this passion with my children.
Who do you want to thank?
I would like to thank my boyfriend, Alex, for all he does for me and all the Team KTM Junior Mechanic for help and service.
