Nielsen turned professional in
early 2024 and quickly established
herself as a versatile and determined
competitor. She now rides for the
SLR Honda team in both the off-road
and motocross arenas.
I recently got the chance to chat
with Nielsen, who was born and
raised in Southern California and
currently lives in Riverside, about her
2025 racing season, future plans,
and how she got into this motorcycle
racing business in the first place.
What came first for you? Moto
-
cross or off-road?
I've always done both. I started
riding in the desert at Ocotillo Wells
[a popular desert riding area east of
San Diego]. My parents would go out
to the desert and rent an RV. My dad
bought a 650, so he bought me and
my sister bikes, so we'd just ride in
the backyard and ride in the desert.
We'd go out to the desert, and me
being competitive, I've always want
-
ed the faster bike, or I wanted to be
the fastest in the group. I've always
wanted to keep up with my dad. I
mean, growing up, my dad was like
the best rider in the world. Now it's
pretty funny to see him ride. I'm like,
"Dad, you're getting old!" [Ha.] So,
then one of my dad's friends was
like, "Hey, you should race." So, we
got ourselves signed up for a race,
and, yeah, it's been full throttle ever
since. My first race, I was 7.
Has being an accomplished off-
road rider helped you be a better
motocrosser and perhaps vice versa?
" We'd go out
to the desert,
and me being
competitive,
I've always
wanted the
faster bike,
or I wanted to
be the fastest
in the group."
Nielsen is already
a three-time off-road
champ at just
20 years of age.
P68
INTERVIEW I AMA NGPC WOMEN'S PRO CHAMP/ WMX ATHLETE MIKAYLA NIELSEN
