There’s no doubt about it - Jane Daniels is one of us, an endurista with a capital “E”
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12.12.2022 ( Aggiornata il 12.12.2022 15:31 )
Jane Daniels has always been an 'endurista'. She grew up with motorcycles, having inherited the passion from dad Andy and mum Karen. But, with her Fantic XEF 250 4T, Jane is able to do things that the typical Sunday enduro rider could only imagine. As we get to know the 2022 world champion in the women’s class, we realise that Daniels is still the same as she’s always been.
A successful career
After an initial foray into the European championship, Daniels soon moved on to the 2012 Women’s world championship, where she immediately reached the top ten, finishing eighth. She was championship runner-up in 2013, 2014 and 2015, beaten only by ‘shark’ Laia Sanz. In 2016 she placed third, behind Laia Sanz and German Maria Franke. In 2017 she finished second to Maria Franke. In 2018 she fractured her collarbone on day one of the only Women’s GP in Rudersdorf, Germany but made up for this bad luck in both 2019 and 2020, when she won two consecutive world titles with the Husqvarna FE 250 4T. 2021 saw her move to Fantic, where she finished third behind Sanz, who was crowned women’s champion for the sixth time. But in 2022 Jane had no rivals, winning all eight days of racing making up the four Women’s GP events.
The ‘champion next door’
And that’s not all as, out of a total of 62 specials, she won 51 and finished second in 7, third in 3 and fourth in 1. Despite this, Jane remains exactly the same person she's always been, with her disarming smile, good manners, and reserved character. The ‘champion next door’ who has never lost touch with reality or the values with which she was raised, despite significant success and fame.
How did you get into enduro?
“When I was two, my parents bought me a small Suzuki LT 50 quad and I had fun riding that in the fields behind our house. Then my brother Gary started racing enduro in 2005. When I was ten, I started too, first with the mini-enduro, then in the European Championship in 2011, and in the Worlds in 2012”.
So a family well used to the MX tracks.
“I’ve always loved off-road racing because the smell of the exhausts behind the start gate is something that’s inside me.”
"My idol? David Knight"
Do you have an idol?
“Like many riders my age, my idol was David Knight. When I started racing, it was incredible to find myself moving in the same circles”.
How do you juggle your everyday commitments and your racing?
“I work part-time, three days a week, in a bike shop. Then I spend the other four days training, riding my bike or bicycle, jogging and in the gym, where I go three evenings a week. I’m lucky with work because the owner is an enduro fan and allows me to have unpaid days off to compete in races.”
You’ve continued to grow professionally since 2012.
“Many things have changed since 2012 and, although I’ve never been a professional racer, I’ve always worked on my development. It’s a passion and I’m not paid by anyone because it remains a hobby, albeit quite an expensive one.”
Why did you move to Fantic in 2021 after winning the 2019 and 2020 titles with Husqvarna?
“The British Fantic importer offered me support for the bike, something I’ve never received from Husqvarna”.
Race season preparation
You dominated every day of racing in 2022. How did you prepare for the season?
“I trained a lot ahead of the season and worked on some details to improve my feeling with the Fantic during winter and spring tests. And then I prepared physically, to be fast in every kind of special”.
Who were your main rivals for the title?
“Spanish rider Mireia Badia, who finished second in 2021, just one point ahead of me. I was sorry Sanz was unable to compete in 2022 because I’d have liked to measure myself against her, as I definitely improved compared to 2021. All four GPs went really well and I was able to stay focused all the way through.”
What does it take to stand out in the Women’s World Championship?
“You need to really want it and be prepared to make sacrifices to achieve your goals. You need to be passionate and train hard. It’s not easy with the travelling and time spent in the garage preparing your bike. But now, after winning my third world title, I’ll relax for a month”.
Are you surprised you won the title relatively easily? Or was it harded than you expected?
“I was surprised I won every round because I knew Badia would be strong. I just did my best”.
"I’ve seen no changes in the last ten years, the girls race alone"
You were there when the promoter was ABC and now, since 2022, we have Portuguese promoter Prime Stadium. How do you see EnduroGP developing?
“In the women’s world championship I’ve seen no changes in the last ten years unfortunately. If you look at our class, almost all the girls race unsupported. We are there out of passion, none of us paid. I hope that, in the future, either the manufacturers, the promoter or FIM might put up a special prize for the women’s class, to encourage girls to compete in the world championship.”
What needs to be done, media-wise, to better promote enduro?
“There needs to be TV coverage - we had 30 minutes of coverage for one race on British TV and viewing figures were high. Social media is becoming increasingly important, but I believe better TV coverage is essential”.
Why has British enduro enjoyed such success in recent years?
“I honestly don’t know seeing as we have few tracks at which to train, and unfavourable weather conditions compared to European countries. It’s probably down to the mentality of riders like Holcombe, Freeman, Watson, Etchells, and the McCanney and Wootton brothers, who embodied the spirit of sacrifice.”
As for the Six Days, Great Britain won both the women’s trophy and world trophy.
“Me, Rosie Rowett and Nieve Holmes went to France to do our best in every test, avoiding mistakes, injuries and mechanical problems and racing well each day. The technical specials and specials on grass suit the English riders and it was amazing to win the men’s and women’s trophies”.
Do you feel stronger competing in Cross Tests, Enduro Tests or Extreme Tests?
“I feel more competitive in Enduro Tests, while Cross Tests have always something of a weak point. I like Extreme Tests too as, despite the challenging obstacles, I’m able to exploit my build and leg length compared to the other girls”.
Daniels’ next goals
Will your future be more two stroke or four stroke?
“Since leaving the two strokes to move to the four strokes in 2015, there’s no question – the four strokes have it”.
To whom did you dedicate your third Women’s world title?
“To everyone who supports me, particularly my family, sponsors and friends”.
Who’s your favourite enduro rider?
“Steve Holcombe. I’ve known him a long time and remember when he raced with the 85cc – he was fast even then. Steve’s stayed exactly the same, so helpful, sunny, cheerful, and humble in every situation.”
You’ll turn 29 on 11 February 2023 – what are your next enduro goals?
“The last ten years have gone so fast that I don’t want to limit myself. I’d like to continue racing enduro and win more world titles but also try other things, like the Dakar, if the opportunity were to arise”.
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