Until a few days ago her name was almost unknown in cross-country rally scene, but during Baja Aragon this changed completely when the young Portuguese female rider won the race in the women’s category, in her very first race in this sport. Considering the fact that her rivals were the fast and experienced Laia Sanz and Rosa Romero makes her result even more impressive.
But this is just the start of the story: young Rita returns to the FIM World Cup this weekend at HunGarian Baja, held in Pápa, Hungary. Before her departue we had the chance to ask her some questions:
RISE Network: Who is Rita Vieira?
Rita Vieira: Hi! I’m Rita Vieira, I’m 20 years old, I’m from Portugal, from Oporto. Actually I don’t study because I’m dedicate my time only to motorbikes.
RISE: When did you start to ride a motorbike?
RV: My passion for the motorized world comes from long time ago, my father was always related to these sports, and soon made my brother a fan of the sport and consequently myself. I ride a bike since very young, from around 4 years old when I rode a sidecar with my brother. Soon after that I moved to the motorbike.
RISE: When did you make your debut in racing?
RV: My debut was at the age of 8, in the national championship in trial, on a 50cm3 motorbike in the class for my age.
RISE: Which was your first experience in cross-country rallies or Bajas?
RV: However weird it looks, my first race was Baja Aragon!
RISE: What brought you to move from enduro to cross-country rallies?
RV: I didn’t change. I’m not participating in the national championship for cross-country rallies in Portugal. At the moment I’m more focused on the national championships in enduro and in trial.
RISE: What made you decide to race in international events, in particular HunGarian Baja.
RV: It was an opportunity that showed up very suddenly and because of that I had very short time to get prepared and adapted to the motorbike. I have a sponsor, someone who decided to put the trust in me and take me to the Baja, for the experience and also to race for the title.
RISE: How did you feel after the outstanding result at the Baja Aragon?
RV: Speechless… for me the real victory was getting to the finish line because, like I told, I had no experience in this kind of races. I had no idea about what I will find and, of course, if the bike and I will hold on until the end because it is physically demanding and also very hard on the bike, that proved again being of high quality because I didn’t have any kind of technical problem in so many kilometres covered at once.
RISE: How are you preparing for the HunGarian Baja?
RV: I train the most I can on the bike because it is very different from the enduro bike. I also try to train my body to gain strength and stamina.
RISE: Are you getting support from the other teams that go to Hungary?
RV: Yes. Pedro Bianchi Prata is helping me a lot, showing himself very available to help me in training and teach me some techniques, like making corners and braking. This is very important in cross-country rallies. Rui Costa is also helping me in what he can.
RISE: For what had been told to you, what do you expect from the Hungarian event and from the tracks?
RV: Everybody told me that the HunGarian Baja is well organized and fun to race. About the terrain, I hope to find it less hard than Baja Aragon, with less kilometres to cover and less rocks.
RISE: Why did you choose the AJP brand?
RV: Just because it is the best Portuguese motorbike. Actually I’m a factory rider, and I’m leading the women’s classification in the championship.
RISE: What are the main characteristics of your bike?
RV: The reliability and the good construction. It’s a very good bike for enduro and cross-country rally, with very easy handling and riding, especially for someone who are starting in these races.
RISE: After Hungary what are your plans for future races?
RV: My plans are to make some more races in Portugal, finish the Trial Championship, where I’m also leading the classification. And also finish the Enduro Championship. Then maybe I will do the mythical Baja Portalegre. In the international scene I plan to race the Baja TT of Idanha-a-Nova, which will be raced in Portugal but is part of the FIM Baja Cup. Finally maybe the World Championship of Super Enduro.
RISE: Looking a bit further ahead, can we count on you as a regular contender at the big cross-country rallies in Portugal and at international level?
RV: I think yes. Everything’s still open for next year, and I’m starting to enjoy a lot this sport. I take all opportunities I have, no matter where they come from and I think that all sports I do (trial, cross-country rallies, enduro and enduro-cross) actually complete one another.
Todoterreno.pt and RISE Network say thanks to Rita Vieria for her answers and wish her good luck for her next race and for all her riding career.
