South African Women's Motocross champion Nanda Sweigers recently had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to compete in the fifth round of the Women's World Motocross championship at Teutschenthal in Germany.
She competed against some of the fastest female riders in the world on this tough and gruelling circuit and came home with a new level of experience - and huge respect for the speed and toughness required to compete at World level. Here's her diary account of the trip...
SUNDAY JUNE 20
"After walking the track on Friday I was even more nervous of that first lap - there were uphills that looked like walls. The track is beautiful though, a real motocross track.
"I got geared up for practice and rode the bike Kölling Yamaha lent me for the weekend for the first time. The suspension was all wrong for me, felt like I was riding a jelly baby. Luckily we knew what settings to run from my own, similar bike back home so we got it sorted out reasonably quickly.
"My 30-minute practice didn't go well, however. I slid out in a corner and had to kick for nearly 20 minutes to get my bike going again. I was just happy that I'd ridden the track and knew what I had to work on.
"I qualified 35th out of 39 girls, which was a big shock to me. Was hoping for a bit better but those girls are so fast!
"Everything felt so new and exciting before the start of my first race. I've never been on a start gate with 38 other girls! It was an amazing feeling. I was 22nd after the gate dropped and I finished 30th due to my grips cramping up my thumb, which was worse than arm pump - but I had a blast!
SUNDAY JUNE 21
"The track was packed with spectators, more than 40 000 people watching the GP. It was an amazing feeling to go out in practice with so many spectators watching. I didn't notice them until after practice though as I was concentrating so hard.
"Everything flew by so quickly, suddenly it was time for the second race and I really didn't want the day to end.
"I had a bit of a delay at the start but was 24th and stayed there for most of the race. Then my thumb cramped up again and I ended up 27th for the day.
"I was all smiles when I came off the track - just because I'd finished my first GP and because I'd never had so much fun!"